Blanco's goal, assist lead MLS All-Stars over West Ham

Soccer Betting Lines

07/24/2008 - Toronto, ON (Soccer Betting) - The Major League Soccer All-Stars improved to 5-0 against foreign opponents with a 3-2 victory over English Premier League side West Ham United in the 2008 MLS All-Star Game at BMO Field on Thursday night.

West Ham joins Celtic, Chelsea, Fulham and CD Guadalajara as victims of the MLS star-studded lineups in recent years.

Christian Gomez, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Dwayne De Rosario scored for the MLS All-Stars on Thursday night while Dean Ashton scored both goals for the Hammers. Toronto native De Rosario of the two-time defending MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo scored the game-winner in the 69th minute on a penalty kick in front of his hometown fans, which were 20,844 strong.

The Chicago Fire's Blanco earned the all-star MVP award with a goal and an assist in 45 minutes of action.

Carlton Cole caused the MLS some problems early on, dribbling through defenders and creating offense, but it was MLS and FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper that had the first legit chance in the game. After taking a chip pass from the Colorado Rapids' Gomez in the box, Cooper turned to shot, but was disrupted enough by defender Joe Widdowson to force his shot wide in the 19th minute.

Seven minutes later the Hammers scored the game's first goal when Ashton received a pass from Cole and fired to the far post.

Less than a minute later, however, the MLS All-Stars equalized when Gomez took a pass from Blanco, raced into the offensive third past the West Ham defense, and slotted a shot into the far-post side-netting. Blanco and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham got assists on the play.

Just before halftime Blanco put the MLS All-Stars up 2-1 when he took a pass in the box and curled a shot into the far post side netting, just over the fingertips of Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green.

That was how the score stayed until Ashton scored his second goal of the game in the 67th minute to make it 2-2. The English international fired from long range, but it deflected off the head of Kansas City Wizards central defender Jimmy Conrad and in, giving New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis no chance.

Less than two minutes later MLS answered right back again as De Rosario was taken down after being sprung in the box by a pass from New York Red Bulls' forward Juan Pablo Angel. Referee Mauricio Navarro called the penalty kick on Lucas Neill and De Rosario buried it for the winner.

MLS will play its weekend schedule on Sunday and Monday this week because of the all-star game, with four games on Sunday - New York at San Jose, Los Angeles at Dallas, Chicago at Kansas City, and Columbus at Colorado - and one on Monday - Toronto at Real Salt Lake.

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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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