Seattle, D.C. could welcome reinforcements for MLS clash

Soccer Betting Lines

07/14/2010 - Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two Major League Soccer clubs that sit second-from-the-bottom in their respective conferences square off on Thursday night when D.C. United hosts Seattle Sounders FC at RFK Stadium.

Both teams have been disappointing this season, but both expect to be better the second half thanks to improved play as of late and reinforcements entering the ranks.

For Seattle (4-8-4) that will come in the form of 35-year-old Swiss striker Blaise Nkufo, who joined the club in training of Wednesday.

"I'm really happy to be back on the field and I'm ready to play the next months," Nkufo told his club's website.

Nkufo comes to the Sounders after his appearance in the 2010 World Cup with Switzerland.

"Well, it was my first training session [Wednesday] after 15 days off," he said. "I'm going to work on my own and, of course, I want to be a part of the team and playing [Thursday]."

On the club level, Nkufo last played for FC Twente in the Dutch League, scoring 114 goals over the past seven seasons.

Don't expect Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid to start Nkufo Thursday after limited training with his new club, but he could use him off the bench.

United (3-9-3) also could be unveiling two new players in Montenegrin midfielder Branko Boskovic and Argentinean forward Pablo Hernandez if their paperwork is completed in time.

That could be a big boost to the club, which is starting to find its form, having just one loss in its last six league fixtures. Also, after going the first 10 league games of the season without one, United have earned shutouts in two of their last five games.

D.C. will be without midfielder Brandon Barklage, defenders Marc Burch, Bryan Namoff, Juan Manuel Pena and Rodney Wallace and forward Luciano Emilio because of injuries.

The Sounders are just as banged up, with midfielders David Estrada and Brad Evans, forward Michael Fucito and defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado all out with injuries. Midfielders Freddie Ljungberg and Michael Seamon are questionable, and midfielder Osvaldo Alonso is probable, all with knocks.

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

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Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

NFL football gambling

To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.