New York riding high heading into Chivas USA fixture

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06/04/2010 - Harrison, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Red Bull New York hosts Chivas USA on Saturday in Major League Soccer action, three days after one of the best results of the season.

With the score tied a one against the Houston Dynamo deep into stoppage time, Red Bull was awarded a free kick from about 30 yards out. Striker Juan Pablo Angel stepped up and fired a perfect shot off the left post to give his team the much-needed home result, while snapping a four-game losing streak.

"Normally you expect it," New York coach Hans Backe said of Angel's dramatic winner. "He's a very, very sharp finisher so normally he scores. In a way, we would have been happy to get the tie to cut these four losses in a row to start all over again, because it's rough to lose four games in a row. I think with his background, of course that someone has to be the boss and to step up. We struggled on our set plays on our corners and our wide free kicks. But someone has to step and just organize us on those plays."

Now, New York (6-5-0) will be aiming to head into the World Cup break on a winning streak, with Saturday's match its next until June 26.

"We needed to stop the losing streak," Angel said. "It was important for us to do it. I felt right from the beginning of the game, we were the better team, we were playing well, and we were creating chances. But there was that feeling of, 'Come on,' as we missed one, we missed two, we missed three, and they can always come back on us.

"So when they scored a goal, you could feel that we were so disappointed. But we reacted well. We kept creating chances and attacking, and it was an even game at the end. I'm delighted that we managed to break that streak and win [on Wednesday]. It was important to win, hopefully we get a good result on Saturday, and then we have the break to just regroup and start all over again."

On Saturday, New York will be facing a Chivas USA team that has lost four straight MLS fixtures of its own, the last three of which on last-minute goals.

"Obviously, it's very disappointing," Chivas USA striker Justin Braun told mlssoccer.com. "It stinks giving up those late goals. It's three weeks in a row now. That's something we can't keep allowing. You can't win games if you keep allowing late goals. We need to do whatever we can to stop this."

The latest loss was a the Hans of a D.C. United squad that had won just one game previous to beating the Western Conference's last-placed team.

"We have to stay focused," Chivas coach Martin Vasquez said. "Don't lose our concentration. I feel that maybe [we] also [lacked] a little bit of confidence [at D.C.]. At times we weren't good with the ball. There's lots of work to do."

The Goats will be without starting goalkeeper Zach Thornton because of a red card he received vs. United. Further complicating matters is the fact that backup goalkeeper Dan Kennedy is questionable with a hip strain. Defender Ante Jazic will miss the match with a knee strain.

New York will be without a host of players, including defender Kevin Goldthwaite, midfielders Giorgi Chirgadze, Austin da Luz, Carl Robinson and Brian Nielsen, and forward Macoumba Kandji, all with injuries.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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