New England Revolution's star-spangled side will take on Bermuda at the National Sports Centre next week as part of their annual pre-season training trip.

The exhibition match will give Keith Tucker's team an immediate workout following their insipid showing against Caribbean minnows Cayman Islands in last weekend's World Cup qualifier.

Revolution's glittering squad arrive on the Island on Wednesday and are scheduled to face the national team on Saturday February 16 and a Bermuda Select XI, also at the NSC, on Wednesday February 20. Both matches kick-off at 7 p.m.

The MLS giants have made Bermuda their number one pre-season destination in recent years and recruited Khano Smith during their first visit in 2005, after he impressed coach Steve Nicol while playing for the national team.

Lanky long-strider Smith will travel with the Revs despite the former Dandy Town striker still recovering from a hernia operation he underwent in December.

"I'm hoping to play some part during the pre-season trip to Bermuda," said Smith. "I've had a cortisone injection to deal with the swelling in my groin and I'm hoping that will solve the problem.

"I've been doing all the fitness work with the rest of the players and I can do the running but not the twisting and turning. Hopefully the weather will be good back home - it will be our first outdoor trainin

During their eight-day stay on the Island the Revs' players will also meet and greet youngsters from the seven youth teams involved in the annual Clyde Best Tournament at the NSC.

Last year's beaten MLS Cup finalists will head to Cancun, Mexico, for the second stage of their pre-season programme, before their opening game of the season against Houston Dynamo on March 29.

The curtain raiser at Gillette Stadium should be an extra spicy affair since Dynamo have triumphed over the Revs in the last two MLS Cups.