Former Ipswich, Arsenal and England striker Paul Mariner could be the right man to take Bermuda football to the next level, according to New England Revolution forward Khano Smith.

Last week it was revealed that the 54-year-old Englishman had thrown his hat into the ring for Bermuda Football Association's (BFA) vacant technical director's post.

And yesterday the former Harvard University assistant coach received the firm backing of Revs player Smith ahead of Saturday's Major League Soccer Eastern Conference semi-final return leg against the New York Red Bulls at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

"I would definitely recommend Paul for the job anyday because someone like him will bring a professional environment to Bermuda. I think he would be great for Bermuda," Smith said.

Mariner formerly suited up for Bobby Robson's Ipswich side that lifted the 1978 FA Cup and Uefa Cup in 1981, scoring 97 goals in eight seasons at Portman Road before moving over to Highbury to join the Gunners. The Revs assistant coach made his England debut in 1977 and in 1982 scored the winner against Hungary that powered his country of birth to the World Cup finals following a 20-year absence.

Mariner is also one of only two strikers having netted in six consecutive matches wearing an England jersey. Smith added: "We have briefly chatted about it but I don't know what they (BFA) are looking to do with him. He said he just wants to have a look at it and whatever he chooses I will still support him.

"It's all up to him, but he's probably not even thinking about that at the moment. All he is thinking about is winning the MLS Cup."

The Revs and Red Bulls, who have been beaten twice in the past by their Eastern Conference rivals in the MLS Cup semis, battled to a scoreless draw on the road in the Big Apple during last weekend's Eastern Conference semi-final first leg.

But New England, making their sixth straight appearance in the MLS Cup play-offs, will have a psychological advantage heading home this week where they have never lost in the post-season.

"It's always good to sleep in your own bed and play at home in front of people who want you to win. Nothing beats playing at home and we are still in a great position and all we have to do now is win at home and that's what will be looking to achieve," Smith said.

"We have been in this position before and so we know what we have to do. We have experience and so now we just have to put all of our concentration into winning and do whatever we have to do to win.

"So we are up for the match and hopefully past experiences will carry us through and move us closer to our goal of winning the MLS Cup."

Earlier this week Boston's most famous sports franchise, the Red Sox, clinched the World Series to give the city its second baseball championship in four years.

Smith and Revs are now hoping some of the magic will rub off on them as they bid to finally break their MLS Cup jinx.

"It's definitely a good time to be a New England sports fan and hopefully we can now add to that with an MLS Cup," the former Dandy Town striker said. "All of the Boston sports teams are doing well at the moment. The Patriots (New England) are unbeaten, the Red Sox just won the World Series while there is also a lot of optimism over the Celtics who signed Kevin Garnett (former Minnesota Timberwolves power forward).

"The Red Sox have great fans and yesterday (Tuesday) thousands of fans were out celebrating because they just love them up here. But first and foremost we want to win the MLS Cup for ourselves and so we will be looking to take care of business on Saturday."