been switched from BAA Field to the National Stadium (kick-off 8 p.m.).

Bermuda Football Association officials decided to swap venues as they felt the National Stadium would be a more appropriate setting for the visit of a Canadian team featuring four players from top-flight clubs in four different European countries.

BFA general secretary David Sabir said: "We worked out a few technical details and reviewed the situation and we decided it would be more appropriate if we took this game to the National Stadium, especially with both teams preparing for World Cup games this year.'' Bermuda will have to do without their most dangerous striker, Manchester City's Shaun Goater.

Hopes that Goater, who scored for the English First Division leaders in Sunday's FA Cup fourth round tie against Leeds United, would be released by his club to play were dashed because he needs time to recover from injuries.

But American-based pro Meshach Wade will play. The midfielder, who was the driving force behind Vasco's dominance of domestic soccer over the past two season and now plays for Harrisburg Heat in the National Professional Soccer League, flew in yesterday.

Also in the squad is goalkeeper Dwayne (Streaker) Adams, a semi-pro with Charlotte Eagles, but Wade's Harrisburg team-mate David Bascome is unavailable, as is Stoke City's Kyle Lightbourne.

Technical director Clyde Best said: "It's difficult to get the pros. And it's obviously disappointing for us that Shaun, Kyle and David can't make it.

"Shaun played on Sunday and I spoke to him late that night and he said he would be unable to make it. I think he picked up a knock against Leeds.'' Dandy Town's Devarr Boyles suffered a hamstring strain during his side's 3-2 Premier Division defeat against Somerset Trojans on Saturday night and is ruled out.

Young PHC striker Stephen Astwood, who has been in sparkling form for the Zebras this season despite picking up two red cards, gets his chance, as does Devonshire Colts' fleet-footed midfielder Damon Ming, who was outstanding during his club's successful Dudley Eve campaign.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Canadian players are in the midst of pay negotiations and have no formal contracts with the Canadian Soccer Association.

In the interim, however, each player will receive 1,000 Canadian dollars per match, including tonight's game.

Canada national team manager Les Wilson said: "The players met in May and have been very patient about the payment issue. They've been patient, have a good attitude and want to get this resolved quickly because of the significance of the year.'' Canada are using tonight's friendly to tune up for next month's Gold Cup competition in the US, where they will take on Costa Rica and South Korea.

Later in the year, like Bermuda, they will be involved in CONCACAF region World Cup qualifying matches.

Canada are coached by Holger Osieck, who was German team manager Franz Beckenbauer's assistant when Germany won the World Cup in Italy in 1990.

Included in their squad are goalkeeper Craig Forrest, of English Premier League West Ham, forward Paul Stalteri, of German Budesliga side Werder Bremen, midfielder Brad Parker of Dutch First Division giants Feyenoord and defender Jason de Vos, of Scottish Premier League team Dundee United.

Bermuda squad: Dwayne Adams, Jay Smith, Musceo Hunt, Karl Roberts, Shannon Burgess, Andrew Rahman, Ottis Steede, Paul Cann, Tokia Russell, Blenn Bean, Meshach Wade, Damon Ming, Stephen Astwood, Rohaan Simons, Calvin Ball, Stanton Lewis, Ralph Bean, Reggie Tucker, Clifford Roberts, Jamaul Boyles.

Warming up: Canada's national soccer team warm up at the National Stadium for tonight's match against Bermuda at the same venue.