Braun's early goal helps Chivas edge D.C. United
Soccer Betting Lines
08/30/2010 - Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Justin Braun scored his eighth goal of the year in the 13th minute and Chivas USA edged D.C. United, 1-0, on Sunday night in Major League Soccer at The Home Depot Center.
Zach Thornton made four saves for his fourth shutout of the season, as Chivas (6-11-4) snapped a three-game winless skid.
D.C. (4-15-3) lost for the sixth time in its last seven matches, and failed to score for the 14th time this season in 22 league matches.
United veteran Jaime Moreno had the first chance of the match after he took a pass from Santino Quaranta, cut around a defender in the area and then forced a save from Thornton.
Chivas turned its first chance into the opener, as Ante Jazic delivered a pass from the left wing to Braun at the top of the area. Braun, who ran in from the right wing, held off United defender Barry Rice and flicked a header over D.C. goalie Troy Perkins and just under the crossbar from 16 yards.
D.C. designated player Branko Boskovic nearly scored his first goal as United searched for the equalizer, but his shot swerved just a few feet away from the upper-left corner in the 22nd minute.
Braun set up the next scoring chance for Chivas USA in the 27th, but Giancarlo Maldonado turned a header wide left from 10 yards.
Chivas had another chance to double its lead a few minutes later when Rice was unable to control the ball just outside the area. Braun took advantage of the mistake to gain possession, but hurried a 22-yard shot and missed high.
United came within inches twice - on the same play - of tying the match before halftime. Quaranta hit a dipping 25-yard blast off the bar that then deflected off the lower leg of Thornton and inches wide of the right post.
Dejan Jakovic forced Thornton to make a save just before half off a header but Chivas survived the late chances to take the one-goal lead into the break.
After a slow start to the second half, D.C. substitute Andy Najar had a solid chance after a long run down the left, but Thornton made an easy save.
United came close to tying the match near the 70-minute mark when Moreno had a header cleared off the line by Chivas defender Mariano Trujillo.
Braun could have put the match away for Chivas USA in the 74th, but after Alan Gordon put him into space, Braun fired high from outside the area.
Chivas USA held on over the last 15 minutes of normal time and four minutes of stoppage time, as it moved within one point of climbing out of last in the Western Conference.
United has the worst record in MLS and trails the expansion Philadelphia Union by five points at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
D.C. plays Columbus in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Wednesday, then battles the Crew in league play Saturday. Chivas plays Seattle Sounders FC in the Open Cup on Wednesday, then plays the Colorado Rapids in MLS on Saturday.
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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.
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