U.S. searching for right mix against Dutch

Soccer Betting Lines

03/02/2010 - Amsterdam, Netherlands (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - U.S. coach Bob Bradley assembled the majority of his best players for Wednesday's match at the Netherlands, and the last few spots on the World Cup roster could be decided at Amsterdam ArenA.

The Americans snapped a three-game losing streak last week with a 2-1 win over El Salvador, but the score isn't the most important aspect of the game against the Dutch for Bradley.

Bradley left injured trio Charlie Davies, Clint Dempsey and Oguchi Onyewu off the roster and the potential holes those three could leave open if not healthy in time for the World Cup are Bradley's biggest concerns.

"There's always pressure on the coach," Bradley said.

Although the U.S. roster features 16 European-based players, three MLS players - Jonathan Bornstein, Heath Pearce and Robbie Findley - could benefit the most with strong performances.

Bornstein of Chivas USA and Pearce of FC Dallas are both in competition for a role on defense, where left back would be open if captain Carlos Bocanegra has to move into the middle to replace Onyewu.

Real Salt Lake forward Findley could find a role if Davies is not able to come back from a car accident that left the emerging star with multiple injuries.

Dempsey avoided surgery on a knee injury and is the most likely of the trio to feature in the World Cup, but Onyweu is a longshot to return from knee surgery and Davies - although he is making huge strides in recovery - needs a miracle.

Bradley is confident the U.S. will put together a team capable of competing in South Africa, whether he has all - or none - of the injured players back.

"We're confident that we're going to get a really strong group, a group that will have a great mentality and a group that's going to go and give it all a great shot," Bradley said.

The Dutch, ranked third in the world, are usually overlooked as contenders due to their recent World Cup struggles. The Netherlands advanced to the final in 1974 and 1978, but its best finish since was fourth in 1998.

Dirk Kuyt, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder highlight one of the most exciting offenses in the world, but the Oranje have not scored a goal in three straight matches.

The Dutch will give Bradley exactly what the U.S. needs, though, and that's a test for his best players, and a way to separate the final contenders for the remaining roster spots for the Cup.

Following is the complete U.S. roster:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton), Tim Howard (Everton).

Defenders: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham).

Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Monchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Everton), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Jose Torres (Pachuca).

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki).

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2007 NFL Football Betting Preview


“You play to win the game!”

Those are the words of notoriously intense head coach Herman Edwards. Unfortunately, from a bettors’ perspective, most coaches don’t feel that way about the NFL preseason. August is a time to evaluate young players, finalize the depth chart and pray your star players stay healthy.

The trick to making money during the exhibition schedule is identifying coaches – like Edwards – who can’t stand losing even when there's nothing on the line.

The New York Jets betting won 15 of 21 preseason games and went 14-7 against the spread (ATS) during Edwards’s five-year tenure with the club. In his first season as the Kansas City Chiefs field boss, the team improved from 0-4 to 2-2.

Identifying win-a-holics like Edwards is a good start if you plan betting the preseason – even though most say you shouldn’t ... but what the hell do they know anyway?

Here’s a brief rundown of two teams that have a habit of winning during the second-stringers’ season, and another club that has a good chance of exceeding this year.

New York Giants betting lines

Playing in the media hub of North America can be stressful but the press can’t write anything negative about the way Tom Coughlin’s boys play in the preseason. The Giants won and covered all four games last summer, improving their record to 7-1 both straight up (SU) and against the spread over the last two years.

Coughlin has shown he’s not afraid to give his starters more time in the second preseason game than most of his colleagues, no doubt one of the reasons his team has been so dominant.

Dallas Cowboys betting lines

Bettors can count on America’s team early on. The Cowboys are 14-6 both SU and ATS since 2002 in warm-up contests. Former coach Bill Parcells, the coach of the team the last four years, has an intimidating, in-your-face presence – surely a reason Dallas has had so much early success.

The Big Tuna won’t be strolling the sidelines with looks of disgust, but new coach Wade Phillips will be anxious to make a good first impression for owner Jerry Jones.

Dallas plays the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos before things get serious. They then face the Houston Texans in their third contest (the game starters see most game time) and finish off with the Minnesota Vikings.

Expect a Dallas team able to walk away with another 3-1 preseason record.

Oakland Raiders betting lines

This team scored a league-worst 12 offensive touchdowns last season, so the rookies and veterans each have something to prove. There’s a bounty of first-unit jobs up for grabs and plenty of bodies competing for those slots.

First-time head coach Lane Kiffin will be eager to impress an owner who employs the philosophy, “Just win, baby!”

The 32-year-old Kiffin has to command respect from a locker room full of players older than him. All of these factors should lead to purpose in preseason. 

Don’t forget: before playing like a team that belonged in NFL Europe, Oakland went 4-1 (both SU and ATS) in exhibition games.

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