INJURIES DEPLETE COLORADO AS RAPIDS ADD TWO PLAYERS FOR SAN JOSE GAME

DENVER (August 22, 1996) -- The injury list for the Rapids squad this week could almost fill a starting lineup -- bad news for Colorado as the team heads into San Jose to take on the San Jose Clash. There has not been a more critical match for the Rapids all season, as they battle the Clash for the fourth and final MLS playoff berth.

The game is a must-win for both Western Conference teams, who have traded places in and out of the fourth place ranking throughout the season, The Clash has the head-to-head advantage, downing the Rapids in their previous two matchups. The Clash will face the Dallas Burn at Spartan Stadium tonight -- and attempt to secure their place before facing Colorado. The Rapids will host the Clash one more time this season, September 8 at Mile High Stadium.

Colorado's injury situation will play a major role in the game at Spartan Stadium -- even necessitating the addition of two USISL call-ups for the game.

-Dominic Kinnear -- out for the season -- recovering from reconstructive ACL surgery
-Troy Edwards -- out two weeks -- recovering from surgery to left groin
-Ian Butterworth -- out two weeks -- bruised left foot
-Roy Wegerle -- out one week -- strained right calf
-Marcelo Balboa -- out one week -- bruised right foot
-Shaun Bartlett -- doubtful -- hyperextended right knee
-Scott Benedetti -- probable -- sprained right ankle
-Josh McKay -- probable -- strained left ankle
-Chris Henderson -- probable -- strained left hamstring
-Steve Trittschuh -- probable -- broken left toe
-Richard Shupe -- probable -- stress fracture to left tibia

In the wake of all the injuries, the Rapids will look to one of their two USISL affiliate teams to help round out the roster for the trip to San Jose. At this point in the season, MLS teams may only call up players from a USISL affiliate team. The Rapids' affiliate teams are the Raleigh Flyers of North Carolina and the El Paso Patriots of Texas.

Both of the Rapids' additions for this game will come from the Flyers. Ed Pinon, a former Colorado Foxes defender in the A-League, may join the starting 11 on Sunday. The 24-year-old from St. Louis University was a 1st team All Rookie in the NPSL from 1993-1994. The 1988 Gatorade Player of the Year has been with the Raleigh Flyers for two seasons and has not missed a start. He attended Christian College Brothers High School in St. Louis, Mo., where he was an All-American in 1988.

Joining Pinon on his stint with the Rapids will be Flyers teammate Raimo deVries from Den Helder, Netherlands. deVries is the second all-time leading scorer at Wake Forest University, where he finished his collegiate career with 28 goals and more, than 30 assists. The imposing 6-foot-2, 185 pound forward was a three time All-ACC selection before playing the last two seasons with the USISL's Flyers. The 28-year-old deVries will most likely fill in at forward in place of Roy Wegerle and Shaun Bartlett.

Fans back in Denver will be able to catch all the action live on Prime Sports -- kickoff is at 5 p.m. MDT. The Rapids return to Denver to take on the D.C. United on Thursday, August 29 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are still available -- call 299-1599 for more information.