Galaxy downs D.C. to extend Western Conference lead

Soccer Betting Lines

07/18/2010 - Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Landon Donovan helped the Los Angeles Galaxy secure a 2-1 win at RFK Stadium on Sunday over D.C. United as he converted a penalty kick in the 58th minute.

Edson Buddle had the Galaxy ahead at halftime with his league-leading 11th goal, but United answered through Andy Najar in the 54th minute. However, D.C. defender Julius James was called for a handball inside his own penalty area as he blocked the shot of L.A.'s Sean Franklin, allowing Donovan to fire home the winning goal.

The win helps the Galaxy move nine points clear at the top of the Western Conference table, while D.C. sits on the bottom of the standings in the Eastern Conference and is now winless in its last five games.

Buddle had a close-range effort kept out by United goalkeeper Troy Perkins midway through the opening half, but he made the most of his next opportunity in the 38th minute to give the Galaxy the lead.

After working his way into the penalty area, Buddle's initial effort was blocked by D.C.'s Dejan Jakovic. However, he picked up the loose ball and fired a left-footed shot past the keeper to make it 1-0.

Pablo Hernandez had a good chance for D.C. two minutes later, but his free kick from the right wing was saved at the near post by L.A. goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.

The Galaxy should have added a second goal shortly after halftime as Donovan's low ball to the back post was just out of the reach of Alan Gordon, while United equalized six minutes later.

Hernandez swung a free kick into the middle of the area for Najar, and he rose up in traffic to get his head on the ball, redirecting it past Ricketts.

However, the Galaxy regained the lead four minutes later when James handled Franklin's shot inside his own area, allowing Donovan to smack the ball just out of the reach of Perkins and inside the right post from the spot.

Jordan Graye went close with a 30-yard effort that skipped past the post for United, while the final opportunity for the hosts arrived in the 89th minute as Hernandez headed the ball over Ricketts from six yards but watched it narrowly sail over the crossbar as well.

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NFL Football Betting : Odds on NFL Division to Win the Super Bowl

NFL Super Bowl Betting

The AFC South and the NFC East are the favorite divisions to have the next Super Bowl champ among them in the NFL betting odds. But more down to the point, these football odds are in favor of the Indianapolis Colts, by far the strongest team in the AFC South, and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East.

Most sports fans would agree that these two teams top the list to win it all before the season even begins. In the BetUS Sportsbook football futures, the Colts are +800 in the odds to win the Super Bowl, while the Cowboys are sitting at +1000 and the Super Bowl XLIV champions New Orleans Saints at +900. In the AFC South, the Colts won the division for five straight years after the 2002 realignment, before the Tennessee Titans won it in 2008. But the Colts came back strong in 2009 to win the division again en route to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys are the favorite to win the NFC East, as well as to advance far into the post season. The Cowboys won the division last season before their horrendous loss in the NFC Divisional playoff to Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. But the ‘Boys will take that loss humbly and be ready for the playoffs this time around.

The NFC South is also very strong, at +600 in the NFL futures, considering that it is home to the defending Super Bowl champions. However, some predictions have the Atlanta Falcons with possibilities of claiming the divisional title this season in place of the Saints, as no team has won back-to-back division championships since the division realignment took place. Let’s not overlook the AFC North at +500. As TO goes to Cincinnati to join Chad OchoCinco and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, this team looks to claim the division title again. And it is likely they will do so. The Bengals lost in the AFC Wild Card spot in a hard-fought battle against the New York Jets last season. Lest not forget the Pittsburgh Steelers, the XLII Super Bowl Champions… All these teams present interesting odds and matchups for the upcoming season, but the safest and surest bet seems to be with the Colts in the AFC South and the Cowboys in the NFC East. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

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