07/03/2007 - Commerce City, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - As Columbus struggled through its first 11 games this season, winning just once, coach Sigi Schmid knew all the team needed was a few wins to believe in itself.
The Crew opened the year three ties and a win before going through a seven- game winless stretch that included four losses.
Entering one of its toughest stretches of the season in mid-June, Columbus got a little spark with a 3-3 tie against current Eastern Conference leader New England.
The Crew added a 2-1 win over Kansas City, which is second in the East, and it was the start of a three-game winning streak Schmid had waited for all season. Columbus followed with a 3-2 win over Los Angeles, then picked up a 1-0 win over Red Bull New York, another team near the top of the Eastern Conference.
Now Columbus, although fifth in the East, is just four points out of first place and is the hottest team in MLS entering Wednesday's game at struggling Colorado. The Rapids are winless in six straight, a streak that started with five straight losses.
"I said at the start of the season that what this teem needed was to get a couple wins just to get confidence," Schmid said.
He wasn't kidding.
Columbus' surge near the top of the East has included two wins and a tie vs. clubs ahead of it in the standings. It's possible the Crew could be in first place by the end of the week.
"Confidence is a big part of it because now you are in the mindset when you step on the field when it's 0-0 at halftime, that 'OK, we'll get it' versus 'Oh, I hope nothing happens.' So, it becomes a different story," Schmid said.
Now Columbus has to keep its momentum going against a much easier schedule - at least according to results so far this season. Home games against one-win Real Salt Lake and winless-on-the-road Toronto FC follow later this month.
First, the Crew (4-4-6) must solve Colorado (4-7-4).
The Rapids have won 10 of 11 games all-time on Independence Day. The one loss? To Columbus in 1999 - the only time the Crew have won on the road against the Rapids.
Goalie Will Hesmer has been a big part of Columbus' turnaround, starting all four games during the unbeaten streak - although he's allowing 1.5 goals per game.
Columbus has won in different fashion during the streak, outscoring teams and posting the 1-0 shutout win. The Crew has a few injury concerns this week with Guillermo Barros Schelotto probable and Duncan Oughton questionable.
In addition, Columbus' Eddie Gaven is with the U.S. National Team for the Copa America and will miss the game.
Colorado will be without two players - Herculez Gomez and Kyle Beckerman - due to duties with the U.S. National Team. Injuries are also a problem with Pablo Mastroeni out, Mike Petke doubtful and Terry Cooke questionable for the game.
The Rapids' problems started long before it was without all of those players, though. A 2-1 loss to Toronto FC on June 2 started a winless month for the club.
Colorado has scored just three goals during its six-game winless streak, and has scored more than one goal in a game just twice in 15 matches this season - wins over D.C. United and Real Salt Lake in April.
"I'm disappointed ... We are in a precarious situation, because the team has not won in the last (six) games," Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo said. "We are not afraid to lose but you have to score and you have to get the ball to bounce your way. So far, we haven't been able to do that."
Both clubs play again this weekend, with the Crew hosting Real Salt Lake on Saturday and the Rapids hosting Red Bull New York on Sunday.
<< Mauresmo, Jankovic knocked out of rain-plagued Wimbledon
Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova
stunned defending champion Amelie Mauresmo, while France's Marion Bartoli
shocked third-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic in Tuesday's fourth-round
action at a wet Wimbledon.
<< Angels designate Carrasco for assignment
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim designated
veteran relief pitcher Hector Carrasco for assignment on Tuesday.
The 37-year-old Carrasco went 2-1 with a 6.57 earned run average in 29 games
this season.
C
<< D.C. visits K.C. with eyes on top spot
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - D.C. United, arguably the Eastern
Conference's hottest team, travels to Kansas City for a Wednesday afternoon
fixture for a chance to further solidify its spot at the top of the table.
After s
<< Fire, Galaxy hope to salvage seasons
Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Galaxy and the Chicago Fire,
two proud and historically successful Major League Soccer franchises that
have fallen on hard times in 2007, will try to take the necessary steps
toward
Basement battle: Toronto, RSL meet for first time >>
Salt Lake City, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wednesday night's Major League Soccer
fixture between Toronto FC and Real Salt Lake features a pair of last-place
teams fighting to get out of the basement.
Toronto is one point back of Chicago
Hewitt reaches fourth round; Ferrero to meet Federer in Wimby QFs >>
Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former champion Lleyton Hewitt was a
third-round victor on a rainy Tuesday, while another former top-ranked star,
Juan Carlos Ferrero, advanced to meet Roger Federer in the quarterfinals at
Wimbledon.
T
Free agency heats up Atlantic Division rivalries >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The arms race that is NHL free agency
began this week and the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers added the
most lethal weapons to their respective arsenals.
The Atlantic Division rivals made the bigg
Giants activate Aurilia from DL >>
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Francisco Giants recalled infielder
Rich Aurilia from his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Fresno and
activated him from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday.
Aurilia had been on the dis
Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Odds
Will he or won't he? Now that the Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach in Wade Phillips, the big question will be: Does Terrell Owens stay with the team.
Jerry Jones continues to suggest that Terrell Owens will remain with the team.
"I've said that he's back, he's here, he's under contract," Jones said. "In the interviews I've just been through (to hire a new coach), it was very clear to me how highly he's thought of and how much of an impact he had on our offensive success."
Just to be sure though, Terrell Owens cleared out his locker and removed his name plate.
Terrell Owens was among the Cowboys most productive players this past season, catching 85 passes for 1,180 yards and a league-best 13 touchdowns.
But T.O. is due a $3 million roster bonus in June, then a $5 million salary this season. Cutting him before then would save a lot of money and headaches.
Aside from the questions surrounding Terrell Owens, the oddsmakers at MySportsbook.com have concerns over starting quarterback Tony Romo's state of mind and whether he will remain a starting quarterback. It is also not known how players will adjust to new head coach, Wade Phillips.
Here are the football odds as seen at MySportsbook.com and subject to change after February 10, 2007 if not locked in prior to that date.
Arizona Cardinals 60-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Baltimore Ravens 15-1
Buffalo Bills 50-1
Carolina Panthers 18-1
Chicago Bears 10-1
Cincinnati Bengals 15-1
Cleveland Browns 100-1
Dallas Cowboys 15-1
Denver Broncos 15-1
Detroit Lions 100-1
Green Bay Packers 50-1
Houston Texans 100-1
Indianapolis Colts 6-1
Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1
Kansas City Chiefs 30-1
Miami Dolphins 40-1
Minnesota Vikings 75-1
New England Patriots 10-1
New Orleans Saints 18-1
New York Giants 20-1
New York Jets 30-1
Oakland Raiders 100-1
Philadelphia Eagles 18-1
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1
Saint Louis Rams 60-1
San Diego Chargers 6-1
San Francisco 49ers 75-1
Seattle Seahawks 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccanneers 75-1
Tennessee Titans 40-1
Washington Redskins 50-1
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