FCD producing positive results under Hyndman

Soccer Betting Lines

08/25/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Suddenly FC Dallas is looking like a legitimate contender in Major League Soccer under head coach Schellas Hyndman.

That hasn't always been the case since the long-time Southern Methodist University coach took over for Steve Morrow in the middle of the 2008 season.

The 59-year-old Hyndman, who went 466-122-49 in his 26 years at SMU, got off to a rocky start in MLS, going 4-6-8 in '08 before going 11-13-6 in his first full season with Dallas in '09, missing the playoffs by a single point.

Then, the Hoops started the 2010 season without a win in their first five league fixtures.

For the first time in almost 30 years, Hyndman had to answer if he was the right man for the job.

"Going from an environment like SMU where you are very comfortable after 26 years and everybody loves you and expects a winner, and you've become a winner, to an environment where people are questioning your coaching abilities, your managing abilities, that was tough," Hyndman told The Sportsbook Betting Lines. "It's a different level, there are different expectations. I'm hoping those were the worst of times."

If the recent run that the team is on is any indication, those were definitely the worst of times.

Dallas (9-2-9) is currently one of the hottest teams in MLS, going unbeaten in 11 league fixtures while also not losing in its last nine road matches. It sits in third in the ultra-competitive Western table, three points behind defending MLS Cup champs Real Salt Lake with a game in hand, and seems poised to make a serious run over the final 10 games of the regular season and into the playoffs.

"We finished our first 10 games with 12 points, which were a very difficult 12 points to get," Hyndman said. "In our second 10 games we really focused on trying to hit 20 points and we hit 24. Now we are focusing on that final 10 games and seeing if we can get ourselves into the playoffs."

So what is the difference in the team? Why is it plugging along, mostly under the radar, with a league-low two losses?

One big difference has been the addition of veteran goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who took over for Dario Sala in April. Hartman, 36, joined Dallas just before training camp after he was unable to come to terms with Kansas City, where he had started every game over the previous three seasons. The 13-year MLS veteran came into a sticky situation, where the 35-year-old Sala had been the starter for four seasons, earned his spot as the No. 1 after just two games, and hasn't looked back since.

"What Kevin brings is his communication and leadership from the goalkeeper position, which is outstanding," Hyndman said. "We have players who are in the right position because Kevin is giving them the direction. That's something we weren't maybe getting from Dario."

With Hartman directing an improved back line, Dallas has surrendered just 17 goals in 20 games. Hartman has allowed just 11 of those while going 9-1-6 with a league-low .69 goals-against average.

The team is also getting an MVP-calibre season out of David Ferreira, who not only pulls the strings in the attacking zone, but has been scoring as well, as evidenced by his six goals and eight assists.

"David Ferreira, in my opinion, is one of the best players in the league," Hyndman said. "He continues to find ways to be a difference maker, either scoring or assisting on goals. By the way, he is also the most fouled player in the league."

The Hoops continue to add depth as well, picking up Colombian forward Milton Rodriguez during the summer transfer window, which allows them to bring in speedy veteran Jeff Cunningham late in games.

The emergence of 20-year-old left winger Brek Shea, taking some of the pressure off the middle of the field, is just icing on the proverbial cake at this point.

"It's been a challenge, it's taken longer than I thought it would," Hyndman said of the club's recent success. "It's a pretty tough job whether you are winning or not winning, to be honest with you."

As tough as things have been to this point, it appears it is about to get tougher down the stretch, starting with the Hoops putting their road unbeaten run on the line on Saturday at Eastern table-leading Columbus.

"Right now I'm looking at our next 10 games and we play on the road this Saturday against Columbus," Hyndman said. "Any team that goes into Columbus is going to have a war because they are so hard to beat there."

Dallas also closes out its last 10 games at RSL and Los Angeles, the two teams ahead of it in the West, in October.

"We have some road matches coming up that are going to be tough tests," Hyndman said.

On top of that, the team has home matches against Eastern powers New York and Chicago.

"The key is the results. At this level you are being measured on one thing and one thing only, and that's results," Hyndman said.

And for the first time since he took over FC Dallas, Hyndman is delivering just that, results.

Wwwbetinf Soccer Betting News

<< FIBA World Basketball Championship Preview - Group C
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Country: China FIBA Ranking: 9 Head Coach: Bob Donewald Key Players: Yi Jianlian, Wang Zhizhi, Sun Yue Overview: China will be without the services of superstar Yao Ming as he continues to battl

<< FIBA World Basketball Championship Preview - Group B
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Country: Brazil FIBA Ranking: 14 Head Coach: Ruben Magnano Key Players: Leandro Barbosa, Anderson Varejao, Tiago Splitter Overview: Under the guidance of new head coach Ruben Magnano, who had pr

<< FIBA World Basketball Championship Preview - Group A
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Country: Angola FIBA Ranking: 12 Head Coach: Luis Magalhaes Key Players: Joaquim 'Kikas' Gomes, Olimpio Cipriano Overview: For years, the Angolan team has been associated as the African nation C

<< Hara will take charge of Japan on interim basis
Tokyo, Japan (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hiromi Hara, the technical director of the Japanese Football Association, will take charge of the national team for a pair of upcoming friendlies as he continues to search for a new manager. Japan adv

<< Juventus confirms Aquilani move
Turin, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Juventus announced on Wednesday that the club has acquired Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani on loan, with an option for a permanent move for $20 million at the end of the season. The 26-year-old Aquila

FIBA World Basketball Championship Preview - Group D >>
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Country: Canada FIBA Ranking: 19 Head Coach: Leo Rautins Key Players: Joel Anthony, Andy Rautins Overview: It's been sometime since Canada has made an impact on the world stage and since the de

Kroenke becomes majority owner of Rams >>
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Rams announced on Wednesday that E. Stanley Kroenke has become the majority owner of the club. The decision was made via a vote by the rest of the league's owners at a meeting in Atlanta. "St

CFL Previews - August 27-28 - Week Nine >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - CALGARY STAMPEDERS (6-1) at BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS (1-6) DATE & TIME: Friday, August 27, 10:30 p.m. (et). GAME NOTES: A couple of teams heading in opposite directions in the CFL's Western Division

NL West: Padres running away with division >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Only a monumental collapse or some gypsy curse over the next few weeks can derail the San Diego Padres in their quest for a third division title since 2005. The Padres won the NL West five years ago and share

Travers is wide-open Mid-Summer Derby >>
Saratoga Springs, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Saturday's $1 million Travers Stakes has attracted an evenly matched field of 11 three-year-olds. Saratoga's Mid- Summer Derby will be conducted over the main track at 1 1/4-miles. Local winner A

Brandon Roy Favorite to Win 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year

Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.

Despite missing 20 games due to an injury earlier this season, Roy has definitely put up the best numbers of his 1st year peers. In 32 games, Roy is averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 boards and 3.5 assists in over 33 minutes of play per game. While most rookies breakdown as the season progresses (see Morrison), Roy is only getting stronger as his playing time and scoring average has increased each month.

With 30 or so games left in the regular season, Roy isn’t a lock for the award by any means. Other rookies are putting together some pretty impressive campaigns and a few could give Roy a run for the award with increased playing time. Heading the list is first pick, Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors. Even though he has started only two games all season, Bargnani is averaging 10.3 PPPG while shooting 35% from deep.

Randy Foye of the Minnesota Timberwolves could be set to give Roy the best competition NBA Rookie of the Year betting lines. With the benching of Mike James, Foye looks like he could be the starter in the T-Wolves backcourt for the rest of the season. So far, Foye has averaged 9 PPG and 2.4 assists in just under 21 minutes per game. With his new role of starter, Foye’s numbers will definitely increase. In his first game as the new starting guard this past Sunday, Foye had 10 points; five rebounds and 8 assists. More importantly, he logged 34 minutes of playing time; his third highest run of the season.

Adam Morrison, of the Charlotte Bobcats, was the favorite early on in the season after averaging 15+ PPG through the first month of the season. Ever since his torrid start, Morrison’s point production has declined each month. This really isn’t surprising, considering at 6’8” he only weighs 205 lbs. Obviously he will need to hit the weights big time during the off-season in order to keep from breaking down in the future.

Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to bet on the NBA. With the regular season about to hit the homestretch, it is important to point out that MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.

Pacific-10 Conference odds

Teams that should be in: Stanford

Oregon and USC get their tickets punched after taking care of business this weekend. Yes, the Trojans' computer numbers aren't great, but there's no way the third-place team in this league is getting nixed. Grudgingly, I added Arizona after consultation with our Bracketologist. I don't know that Arizona will lose its last three (including a Pac-10 quarterfinal game), and even if the Cats do, I still can't see how they'd be left out, given the overall profile. That said, it bears watching, as three more L's would leave them at 18-12 (9-9) and on a 6-11 skid entering the Dance. It would be nice to see the Wildcats get at least one W in the Bay Area next week, as Cincinnati (albeit without Armein Kirkland and with a worse profile) was axed after a similar slide last season. I just couldn't rationalize having some of the other teams as locks and not having Arizona in that category -- there just aren't enough good teams behind the Cats to threaten their spot, it seems. Stanford has its fate in its own hands with the Arizona schools coming to the Farm to close out the regular season next weekend.

Should be in:

Stanford [17-10 (9-7), RPI: 40, SOS: 21] No shame in not getting a win in L.A., but that makes the home game against Arizona State a must-win ahead of what could be an intriguing meeting with Arizona should the Cats lose at Cal. Getting to 11 Pac-10 wins would make Selection Sunday much more comfortable, but 10's probably more than enough this season. The Cardinal have nonconference wins over Texas Tech and at Virginia to lean on, although they also lost badly to Air Force and Santa Clara at home.

Southeastern Conference odds
Work left to do: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Mississippi State

It looks more and more possible that no one from the SEC West will make the NCAAs. How weird is that? Tennessee and Vandy move into the locks category after more good work this weekend. Kentucky stays there, although it would be smart for the Cats to handle Georgia at home Wednesday ahead of a trip to the Swamp. Could a disaster scenario (two more L's and a first-round SEC tourney exit) somehow dislodge the Cats despite their incredible computer numbers? Still unlikely, but not worth chancing it.

Work left to do:

Alabama [19-9 (6-8), RPI: 43, SOS: 47] The tough L at Tennessee was understandable, and even created some hope. Unfortunately, that hope was dashed by a home loss to Auburn, which leaves the Tide in some real trouble. There's still no signature win on the profile (no, Kentucky doesn't count), and the computer profile is weakening rapidly. The Tide conceivably could beat Ole Miss and win at Miss. State to get to 8-8 and clinch at least a share of the West crown, but that's probably not enough right now. The Tide will need to do some work in the SEC tourney.

Georgia [16-10 (8-6), RPI: 52, SOS: 23] This is the team with the best chance to make it from this section right now. The Bulldogs rebounded from a terrible performance at Ole Miss to beat down Miss. State. Now they are at Kentucky (king of the RPI 51-100 win) and home to Tennessee. That would be worth a lot of computer points to get both (which is doable), as both teams are in the top 11 in RPI. Finishing at least 9-7 is an absolute must, and I would feel much better about the Dawgs' chances if they got both to get to 10 SEC wins. They also beat Gonzaga, but lost to ACC bubblers Georgia Tech and Clemson.

Mississippi [18-10 (7-7), RPI: 63, SOS: 79] Like everyone else in this division, Ole Miss gacked up a chance to stake a claim, losing by double figures at South Carolina. Even 9-7 likely is not nearly enough with a nonconference profile devoid of anything notable.

Mississippi State [16-11 (7-7), RPI: 66, SOS: 37] With a chance to get in the mix, these Bulldogs were leashed by their Georgia counterparts. Could they get to 9-7? I guess -- although winning at Arkansas, then beating Alabama is no lock -- but would that mean all that much for a team with this overall profile? Probably not. There's nothing of note (on the good side) in the nonconference profile.

For more College Basketball betting lines go to MySportsbook.com

Additional sports lines can be found at: www.Sportsbooks.com

To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards.