Major Soccer League

If the Major Soccer League can change its name, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Blast is changing its colors.Color the team blue and gray beginning today. Gone are the colors of red, yellow, orange and white -- except in the team logo, which will continue to be the exploding soccer ball. The Blast has been identified by those colors for all of its 10 years, just as the league has been known as the Major Indoor Soccer League for its 12 seasons.The new uniforms were to be on display this morning during a news conference at the Blast offices in Canton.

Baltimore Blast general manager John Borozzi said last night that Tim Wittman will be put on the 18-man roster tomorrow if he signs an amendment to his $52,000-a-year contract.Borozzi wouldn't give any details of the amendment, but Wittman, who has failed two team physicals because of a degenerative disk, most likely is being asked to accept less money until he passes a physical and plays for the Blast.Borozzi said he and Major Soccer League commissioner Earl Foreman worked out the agreement to have Wittman on the roster.

The first question Blast coach Kenny Cooper may have to ask this week is: "Does anyone have hay fever?"That and other questions are on Cooper's mind today, as he wonders how his indoor soccer team will fare outdoors. He'll get the answer on April 28, when the Major Soccer League's Blast faces the Maryland Bays, the defending champion of the American Professional Soccer League in an exhibition game at UMBC (5:30 p.m.)."I'm looking forward to it," said Bays owner John Liparini. "It should be fun and it will be a good warmup for our season opener the following week."

Matchup: Blast (11-15) vs. Chicago Storm (13-13) Site: UIC Pavilion, Chicago Time: 4 p.m. Radio: WCBM (680 AM) Outlook: Two losses last weekend dropped the Blast into last place in the Major Indoor Soccer League. However, in the tightly bunched race, the Blast sits just two games out of fourth and the last playoff spot, currently held by the Storm. Chicago has won seven of its past eight games, including Friday night's 6-5 win over Philadelphia.

Even with an injury-riddled roster, the Blast was too potent for the defenseless California Cougars last night at 1st Mariner Arena. While remaining unbeaten at home, the Blast broke open a competitive game with an eight-point third quarter and strengthened its grip on second place in the Major Indoor Soccer League with a 22-6 romp before 9,027. Blast@Cougars Thursday, 10 p.m., 680 AM

In a game in which the Blast defense was relatively secure, the offense couldn't convert enough opportunities. The result was a 6-4 defeat to the Detroit Ignition last night at 1st Mariner Arena, marking the Blast's first home setback of the season and dropping the team to last place in the Major Indoor Soccer League on a percentage basis. Blast@Cougars Thursday, 10 p.m., 680 AM

Matchup -- Blast (4-6) at California Cougars (5-8) Site -- Stockton (Calif.) Arena Time -- 10 Radio -- 680 AM Series -- Tied 1-1 Outlook -- The Blast, carrying a four-game losing streak, strives again for its first road victory in a battle to avoid last place in the Major Indoor Soccer League. California temporarily ceded the basement to the Blast last week before falling at Milwaukee Sunday. The Cougars won their latest meeting here, 12-10, in a game that began Baltimore's slide. Bernie Lilavois leads California with 34 points, 16 on assists, and has four goals against the Blast.

PHILADELPHIA -- For want of a decent start, a game was lost yesterday. Unable to overcome a 12-point, first-quarter outburst by the Philadelphia KiXX, the Blast never pulled into serious contention, losing, 16-8, to the Major Indoor Soccer League leaders at the Wachovia Spectrum. Wave@Blast Friday, 7:35 p.m., 680 AM

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- After struggling earlier this season away from home, the Blast has suddenly transformed into a team of road warriors. With yesterday's 12-4 Major Indoor Soccer League victory over the Chicago Storm, the Blast has won three straight away from 1st Mariner Arena. KiXX@Blast Friday, 7:30 p.m., 680 AM