06/30/2007 - Bridgeview, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New Chicago Fire coach Denis Hamlett will try to steer the club out of a dismal stretch in his first game and there's no better chance than Sunday against Colorado, the only MLS team struggling even more.
After losing for the sixth time in eight games on June 16 against D.C. United, Chicago fired Dave Sarachan and picked longtime assistant coach Hamlett as his replacement. Hamlett has been with the club since its inaugural 1998 season.
He'll make his head coaching debut in MLS against the Rapids, who have lost five straight. Just Thursday, Colorado suffered the worst loss of its stretch against D.C. United, 4-1.
"This is part of the business, and it's all about results. We've had only one win and a tie for four points in the last month and a half," Hamlett said. "We went through a similar stretch last year. Then we turned the corner, had a great run. This year, we've held on. In all the games, the players competed and never quit. We didn't get the desired results."
It's been a huge turnaround from the beginning of the season when Chicago and Colorado combined for just one loss in eight games in the first month of the season.
For Hamlett, he got a little taste of being the interim head coach last week when the Fire beat Polish club MKS Cracovia, 1-0, on Willian Oliveira's goal in the 36th minute.
But the same problem that led to Sarachan's dismissal will plague Hamlett: The Fire have been decimated by injuries. Ever since Chris Rolfe was lost to an ankle injury, the Fire have struggled.
Although Rolfe has played in just six of the team's 12 games, he's still the team leader in goals (four) and assists (three). Chris Armas is another key player who has missed time to injury and is questionable for this week's game.
"The first thing we've got to do is to get guys healthy. And for me, the most important thing is to have an environment where guys keep telling each other they can compete, push each other and try to become a good team," Hamlett said. "Bob Bradley did it when he was here. Dave did it. So we've got to get things back to where guys get out, challenge, push each other and become better."
Chicago forward Chad Barrett believes the injuries have been the biggest reason the club has struggled so much.
"There's definitely a bad taste in our mouths, because (Sarachan) got fired for the way we've been playing," Barrett said. "Unfortunately in professional sports, a lot of people aren't patient enough to wait a few weeks until guys are back from injury."
In addition to the injuries, the Fire will be without defender Justin Mapp this week as well. He's with the United States National Team for the Copa America. The club will also have to wait longer for Mexican star Cuauhtemoc Blanco as well. He's playing with Mexico in the Copa America and has yet to make his debut with Chicago.
The Rapids are missing two players because of the Copa America, with Herculez Gomez and Kyle Beckerman called up to the U.S. National Team.
Colorado is also dealing with injury problems, the most recent being Mike Petke's fractured ankle in Thursday's game against D.C. Forward Conor Casey will also miss this week's game because of a hamstring injury.
"We need to give more opportunities to the young guys and hopefully expect them to perform," Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo said.
Along with some of the younger players stepping up, Colorado made a trade with D.C. on Friday to try and shake up the lineup. The Rapids sent defender Greg Vanney to United for defender Fernando Erpen.
Colorado's five-game losing streak is its longest since 1998 and just one shy of the club record.
"I would have liked to come back (from D.C.) with a better result - (but) it's tough times. But that's life. You've got to move on and rebound, and we'll see our character on Sunday against Chicago," Colorado's Brandon Prideaux said. "We've got a good group of guys, and we just have to believe in each other."
Chicago and Colorado tied in their only previous meeting this year, 1-1, on April 15.
Following Sunday's game, both teams return to the pitch Wednesday when Chicago visits Los Angeles and Colorado hosts Columbus.
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LaDainian Tomlinson Favorite to be 2007 NFL MVP
With the first NFL preseason game less than two weeks away, it is time to start thinking about football once again at MySportsbook.com. Reigning NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson is currently the 5-1 co-favorite to win the award again alongside Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning.
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone after his all out assault on the record books last season. For those suffering from amnesia or were under a rock last football season, all L.T. did last season was set the NFL record for rushing touchdowns (28), total touchdowns (31) and total points scored (186) to go along with his 1815 rushing yards and 508 receiving yards. At 6-1, Tom Brady is next in line which isn’t surprising considering all of the firepower the Pats added over the off-season. With the addition of Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker; it would be quite difficult for Brady’s numbers not to improve from last years 3529 yards and 24 touchdowns. There appears to be some decent value in Drew Bees at 10-1 considering he probably would have won the award last year if it wasn’t for L.T.’s record breaking season.
There is no reason to think the Saints will come back to earth this season and playing in a weak NFC, they should have as good a shot as any to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. At 15-1, Donovan McNabb could also be worth a look. Remember, many felt he was the MVP of the first half of the season before going down with a season ending injury. Reportedly, he is in great shape and well ahead of schedule to return to form. Also, he could have some added motivation to put up big numbers this season with the Eagles using their first pick in the draft on McNabb’s future successor Kevin Kolb.
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