Beaten Major League Soccer (MSL) Cup finalists New England Revolution are now set to travel to Bermuda for the third straight year to launch their 2007 pre-season training.

Over the past two years the Revs have participated in practice matches against local clubs, select sides and the senior national team.

Last year local football fans were treated to something extra as the Major League Soccer giants staged their Concacaf Champions Club Championship home and away series against Costa Rican side LD Alajuelense in Bermuda, and also played a friendly against Jamaica’s Under-23 team at the National Sports Centre.

This year the bar has again been raised as local promoters Setplay announced earlier this week that David Beckham’s LA Galaxy have also agreed to tour Bermuda next month to face off against the Revs in a friendly at the NSC.

And according to New England director of communications Brad Feldman, the Boston-based club are raring to go.

“The Revolution are pleased to be returning to Bermuda for a third straight year. We’ve found Bermudians to be very hospitable and the club enjoys excellent relations with the TNT Vacations, the Bermuda Football Association and SetPlay,” Feldman stated. “Bermuda always provides professional-standard training and strong pre-season match opposition. And this year’s addition of another top-flight MLS club, our old rivals the LA Galaxy, only adds a bit of spice to the chowder.” The Revs arrive on February 16 with a team roster boasting 35 players, among them Bermudian striker Khano Smith. And initial plans are to have Steve Nicol’s team play a warm-up match with Shaun Goater’s fledgling United Soccer League (USL) Division II expansion side, Bermuda Hogges, before they take on the Galaxy.

Only recently, the 2005 MLS champions Galaxy acquired the services of world-renowned footballer David Beckham — who is unlikely to make the tour — for a record $250 million from Spanish club Real Madrid.

“Of course we’d love to see Beckham play,” Feldman added. “But that’s up to the Galaxy and Real Madrid to work out.”

LA Galaxy are scheduled to be on Island from February 19 to the 24.

Goater, meanwhile, is also looking forward to blooding his USL squad against quality opposition.

“This is almost like a trial run for us which will give us an opportunity to look at players playing in certain positions and other things like that,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“New England will also look at the match from a fitness point of view with players getting fitter before the start to their season.”

Bermuda Hogges are scheduled to debut in the USL Division II on April 20 against the New Hampshire Phantoms at the National Sports Centre.

Goater, however, has requested to have the practice match involving his new club and the Revs played behind closed doors as his professional outfit is still in its infancy.

“I don’t want us to be running out the for first match unprepared,” the former Manchester City striker said.

“So it’s important that mentally we are looking to get off on the right foot.”