Local soccer fans, who rallied behind the Bermuda World Cup team in 1992 by donating money, are now being asked to similarly turn out in large numbers to support a two-game tour by the United States Olympic team which will cost the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) about $41,000.

In an attempt to make the matches at the end of the month even more attractive to the public, the BFA have sought the services of two members of the World Cup team -- forwards Shawn Goater and Kyle Lightbourne, who are now with professional soccer teams in England. Goater is with the Second Division Rotherham and Lightbourne plays for Third Division Walsall.

The games will be played at National Stadium on March 29 and March 31 and each will be preceded by the Lanzera Tournament featuring two games involving Under 16 and Under 19 teams.

BFA president Charlie Marshall, who has already voiced his concern over a drop in attendance at matches this season, said yesterday that he was optimistic the public would give the tour by the Americans the same kind of support the Bermuda World Cup team received.

Marshall also indicated that Goater and Lightbourne, who have not suited up for Bermuda since the World Cup run, were essentially being brought in because the BFA want to field the best possible squad against the US. He said that having the two professionals here would enable the public to witness first-hand the progress the pair are making in England.

"Overall we believe these two matches will produce some very exciting soccer and that the tour will be a good one for the public in general to see,'' said Marshall.

"What must be noted is that while this is the United States Olympic team and there are several professional players among them. Also included in their squad are some players who have had experience with their World Cup team, players who also remain on call for selection if required. This American Olympic team will be no pushovers for Bermuda, that's for certain,'' added Marshall.

While negotiations with the English clubs about the release of the two players are still in progress, Marshall said that their availability was never questioned since FIFA rules called on clubs to release players whenever they were needed for national duty.

However, Marshall said that the BFA were being careful not to interfere with the progress of the players. With this in mind the probability is that steps will be taken to have them play in only one of the matches, preferably the first one on Tuesday March 29, so that they can return to England in time for games on Saturday.

While the visit is designed to get the respective countries in shape for the Olympic Games, the first tour game on March 29 will feature a Bermuda Select team instead of the Olympic or Under 23 team. The Select squad will comprise a number of top senior players from various local teams.

The Americans will host Bermuda in a return tour later in the year.

Said Marshall: "It's a big undertaking by the association and because it is going to be so costly we are asking the public to once again come out and give their usual good support for international soccer, just as they did during the World Cup campaign.'' The US Olympic team is footing the bill for their own airfare, while the BFA will be responsible for their accommodations and transportation.

With Bermuda's senior national programme in total transition under new Technical Director of Coaching Burkhard Ziese, the BFA are hoping that the combination of senior players like Goater and Lightbourne will be a positive influence on the younger players coming into the squad.

"We hope that the great progress these two players have made in England will have a positive impact on the performance of the younger players who will be involved in the two matches,'' said Marshall.

The tour by the US Olympic team, combined with the Lanzera Tournament and the recent visit by the United States North Eastern Select's Under 15 and Under 14 teams, will make March a busy month for the BFA.

"We are busy assembling these teams for national duty and soon the BFA will have five national teams in training, something which we will be quite proud of,'' said Marshall.

The five teams are the Olympic squad, Under 20, Under 19, Under 16 and Under 14.

Meanwhile, Lightbourne was on the scoresheet against bottom team Northampton Town on Saturday, but his 60th minute goal did not prevent promotion hopefuls Walsall from losing 3-1 at home.

Lightbourne's goal made it 1-1, but Northampton had the last laugh, scoring twice in the final six minutes to clinch only their second away win of the season. The loss drops Walsall to eighth in the standings and on Saturday they face a tough away match to Third Division leaders Crewe Alexander.

SHAWN GOATER -- BFA hoping he will play Olympians.