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01/27/2012 - Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The U.S. women's national team punched its ticket for the 2012 Summer Olympics on Friday with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica in the semifinals of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying.
After outscoring its three opponents in the group stage by a combined score of 31-0, the Americans ran into a determined Costa Rica side that made them work for their place in London.
Tobin Heath put the U.S. in front after 16 minutes, but it wasn't until the 72nd minute that the berth looked secure as Carli Lloyd added a second goal before Alex Morgan tallied one of her own in the closing minutes.
The opening goal arrived from a corner kick as Lauren Cheney played the ball to the back post for Shannon Boxx, who sent a header on target.
Costa Rica goalkeeper Erika Miranda got a palm to the ball, but Heath was on hand to head it over the goal line and put the U.S. in front.
The lead almost disappeared 11 minutes later when a shot from Costa Rica's Karol Sanchez struck the crossbar, leaving the two teams separated by a goal at the break.
However, the Americans began to take charge of the game in the second half and doubled their advantage when Abby Wambach sent a chip over the head of the goalkeeper that needed to be cleared off the line by defender Daniela Cruz.
The ball only made it as far as Lloyd at the edge of the area though, and she beat Miranda with a left-footed shot that calmed the nerves of the U.S. team with Morgan adding a late goal that made the final score a bit deceiving.
Despite punching its ticket for the Olympics the U.S. will face the winner of the other semifinal between Canada and Mexico in Sunday's final.
<< Sixers hand Bobcats 7th straight loss
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bobcats coach Paul Silas wasn't on the
court Friday night to see his team lose a season-high seventh straight game.
Ejected during a timeout, he missed the last 2 1/2 quarters of another bleak
loss.
<< Magic's Nelson leaves game
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson left
Friday's game against the New Orleans Hornets with a sore jaw.
Nelson took a charge late in the second quarter and fell to the floor. He
stayed down for a minute befor
<< Blackhawks acquire Morrison from Flames
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Blackhawks gained a veteran center
on Friday by acquiring Brendan Morrison from the Calgary Flames in exchange
for defenseman Brian Connelly.
The 36-year-old Morrison had spent the past 1 1/2 s
<< Rockets G Martin out against Washington
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Houston Rockets leading scorer Kevin Martin
has been ruled out of Friday's game against the Washington Wizards with
plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
In 18 games so far this season, Martin is ave
Rose boosts Bulls over Bucks >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Derrick Rose was in MVP form on Friday, as he
poured in a season-high 34 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 107-100 win
over the Milwaukee Bucks at United Center.
Carlos Boozer contributed 20 points and
Wade returns as Heat down Knicks >>
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dwyane Wade sparkled in his return to the lineup,
scoring 28 points, and the Heat withstood a bevy of three-pointers from New
York to earn a 99-89 victory over the short-handed Knicks.
LeBron James totaled 31
Hawks edge Pistons in OT >>
Auburn Hills, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Joe Johnson scored 30 points, including a
game-tying three-pointer in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter, to lead
the Atlanta Hawks to a 107-101 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons.
Marvin W
Short-handed Mavericks down Jazz >>
Dallas, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rodrigue Beaubois scored a season-high 22 points
to power the short-handed Mavericks to a 116-101 win over Utah.
Lamar Odom added a season-best 19 points and Jason Terry scored 18 off the
bench for Dallas,
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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