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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.
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Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) -
Country: Brazil
FIBA Ranking: 14
Head Coach: Ruben Magnano
Key Players: Leandro Barbosa, Anderson Varejao, Tiago Splitter
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Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) -
Country: Angola
FIBA Ranking: 12
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Tokyo, Japan (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hiromi Hara, the technical director of the
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Turin, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Juventus announced on Wednesday that the club
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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).
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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
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Saratoga Springs, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Saturday's $1 million Travers Stakes
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NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.
Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.
There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.
Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.
Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.
The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.
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