The value of Bermudian Khano Smith to his Major League Soccer side, the New England Revolution, is becoming increasingly apparent, according to American observers. The following article, written by Frank Dell'Apa and published last Saturday in the Boston Globe, before the Revs' 2-2 draw with New York Red Bulls at the weekend, shows how the former Dandy Town striker is building a reputation for himself at the highest level of US football.

Since Steve Ralston joined the Revolution in 2002, the team has displayed some of the most effective right wing play in Major League Soccer. But finding a left winger to complement Ralston has been difficult.

Coach Steve Nicol tried several left-sided midfielders before going with Khano Smith, a converted striker who has shown flashes of effectiveness but has been too inconsistent, partly because of injuries, to warrant consideration among the league's better players.

But Nicol's patience is paying off, judging by Smith's performance in a 4-2 win over FC Dallas last Saturday. Few left wingers have come close to giving such a devastatingly effective offensive performance for the Revolution. Smith has the confidence, skill, and speed to go past opponents, but only recently has he been able to do so consistently and deliver effective crosses. Against Dallas, Smith helped set up two goals and scored the clinching goal in the 90th minute.

The situation could change in the Revolution's game against the New York Red Bulls tonight. The Red Bulls are certain to attempt to contain Smith, and to counter him with Jamaican right wing Dane Richards's speed.

"If the fullback goes high to get close to [Smith] it leaves a hole, and hopefully we can exploit it," Nicol said yesterday. "It's all about possession and timing. We want to get the ball to his feet and let him go one on one with fullbacks. If he gets his positioning right and his timing, he goes past players and nobody can stay with him.

"But it's all about consistency. He's shown what he is capable of doing. Against Dallas, he did everything right; it wasn't a good run then a bad run. And when he does that it's so encouraging for everyone - the rest of the team, the fans. Fullbacks hate it when they see someone with that kind of pace."

Actually, it sometimes takes confidence bordering on cockiness to make the difference on the wings. Few MLS wingers have the combination of ability and arrogance to stand out.

"It's all I knew growing up in Bermuda," Smith said. "That was all we would do, in the backyard or wherever we played, we would take each other on. There are a lot of players in Bermuda who have that capability and that's what the game means to me. You see it in Brazil and countries with flair, a lot in the Caribbean.

"There are a lot of athletic players playing the game here. Not everyone has the ability but you see guys like Eddie Johnson and Clint Dempsey and there are going to be more. They see guys like Cristiano Ronaldo and they are going to aspire to be like him."

Smith will be working in tandem with left back Avery John tonight.

"I'll have to pick my moments to attack," Smith said. "If there's two guys on me that means somebody else is open. I have to handle my defensive responsibilities first and Avery will be there to help out."