New England wants points in Kansas City

Soccer Betting Lines

08/20/2010 - Kansas City, KS (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New England's eight-game unbeaten streak in all competitions was snapped Wednesday, when the Revolution blew an early lead against the Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.

The Revolution also slipped behind the Fire in the playoff chase, and sit five points out of the eighth and final berth currently held by Toronto FC and the San Jose Earthquakes with 26 points apiece.

New England (6-10-3) has qualified for the playoffs for eight straight seasons - a stretch including four losses in the MLS Cup - and climbed back into the race with three wins during a four-game MLS unbeaten run.

With just 11 games left in the season, Steve Nicol's club needs to rebound on Saturday at the Kansas City Wizards.

Kansas City (5-9-5) also had a four-match MLS undefeated streak snapped in its last league game, a 1-0 defeat to San Jose, and are battling for their playoff lives. The Wizards are six points behind Toronto and San Jose.

The Revolution's impressive streak included four SuperLiga games, including a semifinal victory over Mexico's Puebla in penalty kicks. Despite the defeat to Chicago, a 2-1 loss, Revs midfielder Pat Phelan thinks the playoffs are still attainable.

"It's definitely possible; you just have to pick up points on the road in this league to be in the playoffs. We dug ourselves a big hole. It's more important for us to pick up points," Phelan said.

"The game against Kansas City is a must win for us, like all of our games."

New England visits CommunityAmerica Ballpark tied with Toronto and expansion Philadelphia for the fewest road points this year, each with a win and a draw.

Kansas City has four wins and three ties in its 10 home matches, but will also have to shake off a tough 1-0 loss to San Jose.

"It doesn't matter if you win or lose or tie, you have to go back and train; just get on with it, that's the way it goes," K.C. coach Peter Vermes said.

K.C. will be without rookie striker Teal Bunbury due to a one-game suspension, but Wizards midfielder Davy Arnaud knows the squad cannot make excuses if it hopes to contend for a playoff berth.

"Every game is obviously important for us now. By no means are we out of it," Arnaud said. "If we play the way that we can play, we can make the playoffs. We are good enough to be there."

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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