Some of the region?s top players are jetting into Bermuda early next year for a four-team international tournament that could launch the careers of some of the Island?s elite.

New England Revolution have confirmed their pre-season will begin on these shores with one other Major League Soccer side and possibly Central American opposition also understood to be coming here for matches against each other and the national side.

The Revolution, who lost out in the MLS Cup last weekend, began their season over here last year and the competition they received here was welcomed by coach Steve Nicol, who said at the time it was ?the perfect launch? for their campaign.

As well as the vital match practice, and warm-weather training, the Revs picked up Khano Smith from Dandy Town who has gone on to score four goals for them in their Eastern Conference Championship-winning season.

Nicol?s side will return here for approximately two weeks in the New Year, with travel packages being sold by Boston-based TNT Vacations for the week of February 20-24.

And MLS sources have revealed that at least one other side from America?s top league will be coming in with possibly a Central American team joining in to create a four-team competition.

The Revolution played two full games at the National Sports Centre against a Bermuda Select side and the national team as well as a behind-closed-doors 45 minute game against Dandy Town last year but this time could play as many as four matches.

With Boston still too cold for outdoor training at that time of year, the Bermuda trip will once again be the first opportunity for Nicol?s men to actually start kicking the ball around.

Last year they practised every day of their trip, aside from their matches, work which enabled them to hit the ground running when the MLS season kicked off.

As well as giving national coach Kyle Lightbourne?s men an opportunity to get some matches under their belts, it also provides individuals an opportunity to play their way into the professional game.

The Revolution operate an open-door policy and use their pre-season tours as scouting missions as well as a chance to get match practice, a principle that Smith has benefited from enormously.

Other players, most notably John Barry Nusum if he can get an international release from his Major Indoor Soccer League side Philadelphia KiXX, could well reap the rewards if they put in strong performances while the tour is on.

Any detailed schedules are weeks away from being released, although the understanding is that a four-team knockout tournament is the preferred option.

Although no officials from the Revolution were willing to comment at this early stage, Lightbourne welcomed the tour.

?Details are in their early stages but we obviously would like to be involved and have a chance to play some matches,? said Lightbourne, who is pushing hard for as many international games as possible ahead of what should be a busy year for the senior team as well as youth representative sides in 2006.

?I think we got a lot out of the games early this year and will do so again next year. And, of course, there is always the chance one of our players could get picked up like Khano did.

?The games should be good because they will be very early in their pre-season and may not have everything quite together, so we can give them a strong challenge.

?As I have always said, the more football we play the better, and if we can get sides coming here that makes this a lot easier for us in terms of finance.?

As well as the obvious footballing benefits for the Island, there are also likely to be tourism spin-offs, with Bermuda?s proximity to Boston being plugged by the travel agents.

?We?re very excited to be working with the New England Revolution and their fine organisation,? said Doug Frank of TNT Vacations.

?This partnership will provide a great new travel option for New Englanders and Revolution fans.

?We look forward to a long term relationship with the Revs, combining the best of Major League Soccer and New England?s best provider of tropical vacation package destinations.?

As well as the football, those jetting in will be able to join in kickabout sessions with the Revs and meet-the-players sessions.

After the Bermuda trip, the Revs, who have qualified for next year?s CONCACAF Champions Cup, are heading off to Costa Rica for a week.