Battle of unbeatens as Crew host Galaxy

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05/27/2010 - Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Crew host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night in Major League Soccer action in what very well could be a preview of MLS Cup 2010.

Both teams are unbeaten just under a third of the way into the season, with the Crew (6-0-2) actually rattling off three wins in an eight days stretch last week - the last two of which were on the road. The week was capped off with a 1-0 win this past Sunday in Kansas City.

"The field is small," Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer told mlssoccer.com of CommunityAmerica Ballpark in K.C. "It made for a kind of ugly game. That's been our style and how we've played so far this year. We were up for the battle."

The Crew were playing without winger Robbie Rogers and defender Chad Marshall, who were with the U.S. national team in preparation of the upcoming World Cup. Both players should be available on Saturday, however, after the were cut when the final 23-man roster was announced on Wednesday.

The Galaxy weren't so lucky on Wednesday, with their two players in U.S. camp - MLS assist leader Landon Donovan and goal leader Edson Buddle - both making the 23-man roster. They will be unavailable to the Galaxy until at least the conclusion of the World Cup's group stage at the end of June.

But the Galaxy (8-0-2) will have to find a way to get a result for the second straight week without both their most talented [Donovan], and their most in- form [Buddle] players.

"They're a good team," L.A. defender Sean Franklin told mlssoccer.com of the Crew. "I've seen some film of some of their games, and they've scored a number of goals on set pieces.

"They're just a tough opponent this week ... we have to be sharp."

Will the Crew should get two significant players back, they also could be without three important pieces in defenders Frankie Hejduk and Danny O'Rourke, and midfielder Brian Carroll, who suffered knocks last week.

The Galaxy are relatively healthy, with forward Alan Gordon, midfielder Dema Kovalenko, and defender Leonardo all listed as questionable with injuries.

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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