Columbus - Los Angeles 2.45 3.00 2.65 1X 1.35 X2 1.40 This is from Worldbet. I'll be pretty happy to take LA at 2.65 against just about anyone this year.
Justin, have you found any other sites with odds? I have looked and can't find any yet (Wed pm). I ll take CLB at anything above 2.45.
Game notes LA @ CLB --- 2.65 3.00 2.45 LA is 3-3-1 is road openers with two of those wins at dc. LA is also 1-4-2 lifetime in Columbus. LA will have the mindset of being them against the world as this is game 1 of an 8-game roadie to start the season. CLB is 5-1-1 in home openers with Chicago being the only team to take points at the yellow erector set. CLB has injury woes to several players, most of them minor in nature. Of Dunseth, Clark, Hejduk, Torres, McCarty, Traeggar, and Akwari (Denton is out); Andrules should be able to put a backline together representative of MLS. LA has the slight GK edge, but Busch may prove to be a better keeper shortly. LA has the slight D edge with injuries being an annoiance right now for CLB, Lalas' wisdom is key here LA has the M edge as Jones, Ezra, Elliot, and Cien are all entrenched. What CLB lacks in talent they make up for in hustle and under-rated team chemistry. CLB has the edge at F - Buddle and McBride are better than Ruiz and Albright/Glinton period. CLB has the heavy intangeble edge. LA has the weight of expectations, late-season home games, a team of names, and rings already earned. CLB has the history mentioned above, players with rolls they are comfortable within, and hot players. Don't discount the home field acvantage here - the fans, home cooking, home sleep, and the cooler air of Ohio (40 degree wind chill forcasted at gametime) will have an effect. Motivation will not be a problem as I believe CLB is still wondering how in the world NE managed to win that Semi-final series last year. I'll take CLB at 2.45 (or higher if I can find it) in a home opener most days.
Gamebookers has LA at 2.70 and Nordicbet has them at 2.75, while Canbet has Columbus at 2.55. Otherwise, there prices are the same as those above. [shock] Nordicbet also have WUSA prices [/shock] Carolina Courage Washington Freedom 1.85 3.30 3.05 Atlanta Beat - New York Power 1.65 3.40 3.70 San Diego Spirit - Boston Breakers 2.25 3.25 2.40 San Jose CyberRays - Philadelphia Charge 2.30 3.35 2.30 This really makes me wish I knew more about WUSA. I'd say there's serius money to be made on WUSA as I simply can't believe that these Norwegian odds makers are that knowledgeable of it. Could be wrong though.
They got Atlanta-NY right with Atlanta winning...I hope. I can't really give you an unbiased oppinion on this game, but I do have a good feeling that Atlanta will win at home this time (Atlanta has never won a home opener- in 2001: 0-0 vs NY. In 2002: 0-2 vs Philly) NY's defence will be unstable this game as they lose 2 very good players due to ACL...NY gave up 62 goals in only 21 games last year...They have no match for Atlanta's lanky forward/mid, Cindy Parlow. Also, I think SJ will win over Philly, and Washington has a much better chance of winning against Carolina than your table indicates. If I were a betting man, I would bet on Washington over Carolina (Big grudge match that the Mia Hamm-led Washington Freedom is determined to win. Washington has never lost to Carolina when Carolina hosted ), SJ over Philly (Philly has never beaten SJ on the west coast and there might be some midfield problems for Philly, since they have some new signings that have only practiced with the team for no more than 1 week), and SD over Boston (SD has a very potent offense especially with the signing of the young American phenom Aly Wagner and the speedy veteran, USSF Women's Soccer Player of the Year, Shannon Macmillan. Boston lost 4-1 to NY in preseason-their defence stinks...but the new coach is working on that). More info on the matchups here: http://www.wusa.com/press_room/350786.html
The dreaded tie got us again. I have an inherent aversion to betting for a draw, but often it's the wise play.