Team Chemistry

Because of injuries, suspensions and more injuries, this is where it stands for the struggling Blast: Only 13 players are likely to be available for Sunday's game in Kansas City. "It's crazy. We've lost seven of our top 16 guys. But there's nothing you can do about it. It is what it is," said Kevin Healey, Blast coach and general manager. Two of the team's recent additions - midfielder Henry Gutierrez and forward Lester Felician - were the latest to go down, both in Saturday's 20-6 loss in Cleveland, the Blast's seventh in eight games.

Tennessee's passing attack can be likened to a game of poker. The Titans added two face cards to their hand late in the season. The Ravens have lost one, but they aren't close to folding. The Ravens invade Adelphia Coliseum tomorrow for an AFC divisional playoff game. The Titans have been bolstered by a first-round bye and the return of wide receivers Carl Pickens and Yancey Thigpen, former Pro Bowlers who ended the regular season coming off the bench. The Ravens, conversely, will be without strong safety Kim Herring, who will miss the game with a bruised ankle he suffered in last Sunday's wild-card win over Denver.

The girls Player of the Year Ali Andrzejewski, McDonogh: The multitalented junior split time at striker and in the midfield this season, showcasing a vast array of talents. A potent shooter who put nearly every strike on goal, she led the No. 5 Eagles with 28 goals and also contributed 11 assists as a key midfield distributor. "Ali has a great shot from 40 yards and in," said McDonogh coach Maurice Boylan Jr. "She can launch a long ball quick and hard. We played her in the midfield a lot, because she could make great runs out of the midfield.

Linemen usually garner little recognition. Centennial's Wyatt Cooper is an exception. As the Eagles (3-1 overall, 3-0 league), who are tied for first place with Oakland Mills and Wilde Lake, continue to play beyond expectations, Cooper is a major reason why. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior offensive guard and defensive tackle played his most significant game on Sept. 29 in a 28-21 upset of previously unbeaten Long Reach, a team that had outscored Centennial, 86-2, over the past three seasons.

ASHBURN, Va. - Irving Fryar has seen something similar before. Back when he was catching passes at Nebraska, Fryar said, those teams had expectations and pressure to win every game. But that was at Nebraska. How about in his 16 seasons since as a professional? "No, not on a professional level," Fryar said. "I've never been on a team this good or had expectations this high. It is good to be a part of this. If we are to follow through this year and do what everybody is expecting us to do, it will be a great accomplishment."

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Give New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner credit. He could have kept last year's world championship club intact and cruised back into the World Series, but that would have been, well, boring.Instead, Steinbrenner put his team's outstanding team chemistry at risk to add some more star power when he acquired future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens from the Toronto Blue Jays for starting pitcher David Wells, reliever Graeme Lloyd and infield prospect Homer Bush.The Boss has always loved a good headline, but this deal had dynasty written all over it. Steinbrenner has had some good teams over the nearly three decades that he has owned the Yankees, but the current version of the club has a chance to go down in history with the Murderers' Row clubs of the 1920s if it can sustain last year's success for any length of time.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said, "He'd make me a better player." Penny Hardaway said he'd love to be on the same team with him. Milwaukee Bucks coach George Karl has gone to his front office and said he'd like the opportunity to coach him.Say what you want about the weirdness of Dennis Rodman. He's a winner, as evidenced by the number of teams trying to sign the free-agent forward.Rodman, the only major free agent still unsigned, is the one player who can change the balance of power in the NBA. If he signs with the Lakers, they might coast to the Western Conference title.

Jr. -- UP -- It's been a week since Cal Ripken ended The Streak and gave Camden Yards a moment few expected would happen this season. Yes, it is "time to change the subject," but not before embracing the city that has forever embraced him.1998 -- DOWN -- A season that began with promise crumbled early and ends in uncertainty. An off-season face lift awaits.Dan O'Dowd -- UP -- The Orioles were willing to jump through the Cleveland Indians' hoops to interview him for the GM vacancy. He apparently enjoys the support of Pat Gillick.

The laboratory in team chemistry that the U.S. national men's soccer team has become will resume in next Thursday's game against Ecuador at Memorial Stadium.U.S. coach Steve Sampson announced the roster for that game yesterday, a 17-man squad that includes 12 players who haven't seen national duty in at least six months, many of them for longer.The players are being called up from five of Major League Soccer's 10 franchises, but none of the three regulars from this area's representative, D.C. United, is among them.

Senior forward Matt Steppling is South Carroll's handyman.Ask Cavaliers coach Jim Carnes about all the different things Steppling provides on the basketball court, and he'll come up with a lengthy list -- scoring, rebounding, versatility and leadership, to name a few.Then ask him what the 6-foot-4 Steppling does best of all, and you won't have to wait long for an answer."