Now you see him, now you don't.

That phrase pretty much could sum up Mehdi Ballouchy's career with the Colorado Rapids.

Ballouchy, acquired in a July 16 trade that sent popular midfielder Kyle Beckerman to Real Salt Lake, made an immediate impact with his new club, helping the Rapids earn a 2-2 road draw against the Kansas City Wizards six days later. The tie curtailed some of the frustration that had mounted during the Rapids' previous eight- match winless streak.

Now, all Ballouchy can do is cheer, watch and hope his new club can break back into the win column.

Ballouchy, who spent one year at Denver South High School, will be serving the first game of a two-game suspension when the Rapids (4-8-6) try to break their streak tonight at FC Dallas.

Ballouchy was given the two-game sentence for an elbow call against the Wizards. He is appealing the decision, but even if the league reduces the suspension by a game, the Rapids still will be without him tonight.

"I don't know why they suspended me," Ballouchy said. "Unless they change their mind before Saturday . . . but that is unlikely."

So, without Ballouchy and likely without two regular defenders - Dan Gargan (separated shoulder) and Mike Petke (strained quadriceps) - the Rapids will aim for their first win since May 26, against Los Angeles. The Rapids will play the Galaxy twice more this season, including Aug. 26 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.

The two-goal output at Kansas City was only the third time this season the Rapids have scored twice in a match.

While former Mexican national team member Daniel Osorno, signed Wednesday, hopefully will add scoring punch to a team that has had trouble finishing, he also will add depth during a demanding portion of the schedule.

The match tonight marks the beginning of a stretch in which the Rapids play four times in 13 days, including a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match on the road against the United Soccer League's Seattle Sounders on Tuesday.

"One thing for sure, we're looking for someone to finish," Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo said. "We have guys - Nicolas Hernandez, Jovan (Kirov- ski), Herculez Gomez, Conor Casey - at forward that we've expected to finish, and they haven't. The bottom line is, their job is to score goals. Score goals and win games. The pressure is on us to win. The intensity has been good."