The race is on at New England Revolution to have Brazilian forward Jose de Abreu Oliveira accompany the Major League Soccer (MLS) side to Bermuda?s shores this weekend.

The former Flamengo, Atlas Guadalajara and Olimpia Asuncion forward recently signed on at the Revolution who are due to take on a local select and Bermuda?s national team next week at the National Sports Centre.

?Cassio (Oliveira) is not in the US yet but we are pushing to have all of his immigration paperwork processed in time for the Bermuda trip and are optimistic that it will happen,? Revolution spokesperson Brad Feldman told yesterday.

?The coaches want this to happen so we are pushing to ensure that it does. But either way, we will have a strong squad,? added Feldman.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Oliveira previously suited up for CR Flamengo and SC Internacional of Brazil, CD Atlas Guadalajara of Mexico and Olimpia Asuncion of Paraguay.

?Cassio is a player who immediately adds balance to our team,? said Revolution coach and former Liverpool legend Steve Nicol.

?He has a strong left foot, gets up and down the line, puts in a good cross and is well-suited for the MLS style of play.?

A product of the youth system at famed CR Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro, Cassio played four seasons on the club?s first team. While with Flamengo, Cassio won three Carioca (Rio) Championships between 1999 and 2001 and also featured in the 2001 Copa Mercosur final, which Flamengo lost on penalties to Argentine side San Lorenzo.

Last year Cassio played at Olimpia Asuncion in Paraguay, the South American nation?s most successful club.

?I?m very happy that I?m coming to New England,? said the 25 year-old Cassio.

?I can?t wait to be on the field, playing hard and showing what I can do.

?I know that there are a great many Brazilians and Brazilian soccer fans in New England which makes the transition to a new way of life that much easier.?

The Revolution arrive in Bermuda on Sunday with a squad expected to contain 20 to 22 players. They?re scheduled to take on a local select on March 1 and the senior national team on March 3, both at the National Sports Centre.

In addition to Oliveira, the New England side could also boast the likes of Trinidad and Tobago defender Avery John, Grenada-born forward Shalrie Joseph, US World Cup veteran Carlos Llamosa along with Uruguay midfielder Jose Cancela.

Other notable players that could possibly make the brief stopover in Bermuda are Canadian international Felix Brillant in addition to four players currently challenging for spots on the US national team, said Feldman.