Crew, Chivas clash before losing U.S. players

Soccer Betting Lines

05/14/2010 - Columbus, Ohio (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Columbus is one of just two undefeated teams remaining in MLS but, like the unbeaten Los Angeles Galaxy, the Crew are about to face a spell without some of their top players.

Columbus defender Chad Marshall and midfielder Robbie Rogers were selected for the United States' pre-World Cup training camp and, if they earn a spot on the final 23-man roster, would miss at least five MLS games.

The Crew, who have three wins and two ties, host Chivas USA on Saturday in the last game before the U.S. players start training in Princeton, N.J.

While L.A. star Donovan is a lock to remain with the U.S. through June's World Cup, Marshall and Rogers are fringe players hoping for a coveted roster spot.

Regardless of whether the Columbus duo makes the final cut, they will miss MLS games in late May against New York, Kansas City, Los Angeles. If they make the cut, Marshall and Rogers will miss June matches against San Jose and Colorado.

Depending on how well the U.S. does in South Africa, Columbus and other squads could be without players even after the league goes on break in mid-June.

Columbus has three more matches scheduled before the end of the World Cup, but that would require the U.S. to make a run in the knockout stage.

With the uncertainty of the next few weeks, Columbus needs to continue its hot start against Chivas, which loses defender Jonathan Bornstein and midfielder Sacha Kljestan to U.S. camp after this weekend's match at Crew Stadium.

"They've really got to have a sharp camp because they are probably two bubble guys," Columbus defender and World Cup veteran Frankie Hejduk said about his teammates. "I think (both) can help the team do well in South Africa."

First, both have to focus on getting Columbus three points before they join up with the U.S.

"It's still important that I work hard with my team here in Columbus and get better," Rogers said on the league's website. "I have a lot to prove."

Columbus has three wins in as many games at home, while Chivas has a win and a draw in four road matches.

Bornstein and Kljestan are more likely to make the last U.S. World Cup roster, making their last appearances for Chivas before the tournament just as huge.

Chivas has only three games before the World Cup but, with four losses in its first eight matches, needs to get as many points as possible as well.

"We hope to go to Columbus and bring back three points. I think we have a good chance against Columbus," Mariano Trujillo said on the league's website.

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De La Hoya made his own grand entrance at the hotel lobby at around 12:30 p.m. accompanied by GBP chief executive officer Richard Schaefer and trainer Freddie Roach.

The same group of fans who trooped to see Mayweather also lingered around to get a close look at De La Hoya, who has been secretly working out at a Las Vegas gym for days after arriving from his main training camp in Puerto Rico.

The golden boy then took part in a closed-door afternoon workout with Bautista and Banal. The two, along with Aldeguer and wife Christine, as well as an HBO crew were the only ones allowed inside the gym.

De La Hoya and Mayweather take part in today's final press conference before the official weigh-in this Friday.

Ring Magazine, the acknowledged bible of boxing, reported in its June 2007 issue that 12 out of 20 boxing experts it interviewed have favored Mayweather to defeat De la Hoya, with only 8 favoring the latter.

But Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao said in a recent interview with The Freeman's Emmanuel Villaruel that De La Hoya will win by unanimous decision over Mayweather.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on boxing needs.