Former U.S. goalie Meola shines in N.J. debut

Soccer Betting Lines

10/30/2007 - Newark, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former United States goalkeeper Tony Meola was named the Major Indoor Soccer League's Goalie of the Week on Monday following Friday's 10-save performance for New Jersey in his first indoor match in more than 10 years.

Meola, who played in 99 games for the U.S. from 1988-2002, last played indoor soccer professionally for the Buffalo Blizzard in 1994-95.

The U.S. veteran made his return in the Ironmen's first-ever MISL game, giving up two goals in the expansion club's 7-4 victory against Orlando. Meola, a New Jersey native, signed with New Jersey in August.

Meola, 38, spent the last 11 years in Major League Soccer. He made 250 starts and posted 62 shutouts. He won the MLS MVP and MLS Cup MVP in 2000 when he led Kansas City to the title with 16 shutouts and a 0.92 goals against average.

Meola first played for the United States in 1988 and was the full-time starter from 1990-1994, when he made 79 of his 99 career appearances. He remained with the U.S. through 2002, but played in just 12 games in his last four years.

California's Enrique Tovar and Baltimore's P.J. Wakefield were also honored by the MISL this week.

Tovar scored three goals in the Cougars' 11-10 win over Chicago and was named Offensive Player of the Week. Wakefield posted four blocks in the Blast's 13-8 win over Milwaukee.

Following are the 2007-08 MISL Player of the Week winners:

Week 1: Offense, Michael Todd, Baltimore; Defense, Michael Lookingland, Baltimore; Goalie, Sagu, Baltimore.

Week 2: Offense, Enrique Tovar, California; Defense, P.J. Wakefield, Baltimore; Goalie, Tony Meola, New Jersey.

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MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.

Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.

According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).

Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.

''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
    
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.

Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.

''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''

Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
   
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.

”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
   
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.

For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.