Maryland Bays goalkeeper Steve Powers was signed to a 15-day contract yesterday by the Baltimore Blast and started last night's game against the Dallas Sidekicks at the Baltimore Arena.

Powers, who has worked out 15 times this season with the Blast to be ready for a possible backup role, replaces veteran goalkeeper Cris Vaccaro on the Blast roster. Vaccaro was placed on the disabled list yesterday and must miss at least one game.

Vaccaro strained a neck muscle Friday night against the Cleveland Crunch, when he took a shot by Dave Hoggan in the face with seven minutes left in the game.

Vaccaro, 33, was knocked to the turf by the shot and taken off the floor on a stretcher to Marymount Hospital in Cleveland, where he underwent observation and a CT scan for possible head injuries.

Tests were negative, and Vaccaro was released from the hospital at 11:45 Friday night and flew back to Baltimore with the team yesterday.

Vaccaro's injury forced Powers into action for his first game in the Major Soccer League much sooner than the Blast had hoped.

Powers, 27, never had played indoor soccer before this season.