D.C. hopes to build on Milan win against Chivas

Soccer Betting Lines

05/28/2010 - Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - D.C. United has scored four times in nine MLS games this year, but may have finally found its scoring touch this week in a friendly against AC Milan.

Luciano Emilio, Chris Pontius and Danny Allsopp scored in the 3-2 win over the Italian power at RFK Stadium, and United coach Curt Onalfo hopes the club will carry momentum into Saturday's league match against Chivas USA.

"Winning breeds confidence, and I think we needed a win to get over the hump, and playing well and having success is definitely something we can build on," Onalfo said.

D.C. (1-0-8) has failed to score in seven of its eight losses this season, and scored two of its goals in a 3-2 loss to the expansion Philadelphia Union. The only win this season for United was May 5 against Kansas City, 2-1.

"We just have to fight through it and keep going," United's Santino Quaranta said.

Allsopp has two of United's goals and with former MLS MVP Emilio regaining his top form and Pontius healthy, United could finally piece together more offense in league play.

Emilio, who led the league with 20 goals in 2007, has not started since United signed him to a three-month deal in late April. He's played 95 minutes off the bench, and may finally be ready for a more prominent role.

Pontius returned last week from injury against Houston, a 2-0 United loss, and his appearance Wednesday against Milan and Ronaldinho proved he is regaining fitness.

"It was great to see. It was great to have him back. I thought Chris (Pontius) had a great 45 minutes - we missed him sorely, and now we just have to get him more game fit," Onalfo said.

United is just 1-4-0 at home, and needs to start getting results. In addition to struggling offensively, D.C. has allowed 18 goals - an average of two per game - but held its lead against AC Milan despite playing the final 25 minutes with 10 men.

D.C., last in the Eastern Conference, welcomes the last-place squad from the Western Conference to RFK Stadium, but Martin Vasquez's club has managed three wins and a draw this season.

Chivas has scored 11 goals, but nine of those were in its victories over Red Bull New York, San Jose and New England.

Vasquez welcomes Sacha Kljestan back from U.S. camp after he was cut from the World Cup roster, and he should be motivated to spark the attack.

Jonathan Bornstein, who did make the U.S., will be replaced by Carlos Borja at left back again. Borja made his first start last week in a 2-1 defeat to Real Salt Lake, and played well.

"I work hard every day and I try to do what Coach asks me (to do)," Borja said. "Hopefully it goes well and I get more consistent."

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How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.