Clint Mathis suspended for rest of regular season, are the Rapids dead?

Over the weekend, the Colorado Rapids' Clint Mathis earned a red card for an elbow shot to the face of New England's Avery John, meaning he will miss this weekend's match against the Red Bulls. However, on further review, the MLS Disciplinary Committee suspended Clint Mathis for an additional game because the foul was so violent and because he did not leave the pitch 'in an orderly fashion.'

Missing the second game means Mathis will not see action in the clubs regular season finally against Houston.

The Rapids currently find themselves in a tight race with Real Salt Lake and LA for the final playoff spot in the West. With all odds, they will need to get at least 3 points to make it to the post season, but with Mathis out, it will be difficult for them to find those points. He might not be the player he once was, but he is still a key part of the Rapids lineup.

As far as the foul that caused all this, it really was bad. John beat Mathis and passed off the ball, so Mathis knocks him in the jaw with a hard elbow. He then took two minutes to get off the field. And to think, the Rapids got rid of Jeff Cunningham in order to get Mathis. I'm sure they are proud of that move.

You can watch the foul here (will launch windows media player).