recently when he makes his local debut in charge of the Bermuda national team tonight at National Stadium against visiting Kansas City Wizards (7.00).

The Wizards are leading the Western Division of Major League Soccer in the United States. The match will be the first away from home by an MLS team against a national side since the league was formed last year.

This will also be the Bermuda team's first home match against an overseas team since the World Cup qualifying round in 1992. Then the country competed with distinction in matches against Haiti, Antigua and El Salvador as local fans rallied behind the team.

And while Best is counting on the home crowd to help lift the Island team again, he warns that the side is still a long way from where they need to be internationally.

"Everybody knows that when you play at home the crowd can be like an extra player,'' said Best.

"So my advice to the people here is support us and give us all the help and encouragement that they can, but don't forget that we are still trying to build and it's going to take time for this to fit into place.

"It's not going to happen overnight because a lot of things we have to change. But as long as we keep working at it, we will improve.'' Added BFA general secretary David Sabir: "We are at the beginning of rebuilding so it's important that our expectations in terms of a result are kept very realistic.

"This is the beginning of the international programme and the country needs to come along with us, for moral support and financial support, which are very important.

"Also, it's very important to the players. If they see that the country is appreciative of the effort then the results will come.'' Having spent more than two decades in the US, after leaving English club West Ham United in 1975, Best is familiar with soccer in the States. He played with the Portland Timbers, Tampa Bay Rowdies and Toronto Blizzards of the now-defunct North American Soccer League.

"I've seen it (soccer) flourish, diminish and get started again,'' said Best who turned to coaching after his playing days ended.

The head coach of the Wizards, Ron Newman, was also the head coach of indoor club San Diego Sockers when Best was assistant coach there. He also has some knowledge of some of the Wizards players.

"Two of the guys used to play for me, goalkeeper Mike Ammann and Ryan Tinsley, so I do know of them,'' said Best. "They are going to be a decent team. But we've got a job to do and can't be afraid of them.

"If everybody works hard, closes them down and denies them the space it will be a decent game.'' Best said some progress had been made in his short time in charge as he had brought his own style of coaching to the job. It is expected that former head coach Gary Darrell, who was in charge of the team during World Cup qualifying, will be Best's assistant coach. He was unavailable for the trip to St. Martin because of work commitments, making way for Mark Trott.

"I've already told Gary I want him to be involved,'' said Best.

Midfielders Mark Chung and Preki and forwards Mo Johnston, Frank Klopas and Vitalis Takawira are considered the top players in the Wizards team which contains a blend of American, European and African players.

Chung is American-born, joining the Wizards in round one of the 1996 Major League Soccer draft and going on to start in all 32 games for the Wizards during the first season last year. One of the most skillful American players, Chung has won 22 caps for the US since 1992-93.

Johnston is a former Scottish international, making 37 appearances between 1984 and '91. He was the first player to play for both Catholic Glasgow Celtic (1984-87) and Protetstant Glasgow Rangers (1989-92).

Klopas is a longtime US National team player who was limited to 22 games last season due to injuries. Prior to joining the Wizards he played four years with AEK in the Greek First Division.

Preki tied for second place in MLS scoring last year, netting 18 goals and having 13 assists for 49 points. Before joining the Wizards he also played three seasons in England for Everton and Portsmouth and also had one season in Portugal and two in his native Yugoslavia with Red Star Belgrade.

Takawira has played nearly 30 times for Zimbabwe and won the golden boot as the top scorer in Africa in 1994. He was the leading scorer in the Zimbabwe First Division for three seasons and missed winning the African golden boot award in 1995 by one goal. During the 1995 season he played in the Swiss Second Division with Winterthur, scoring nine goals in 10 matches.

Preki, Takawira and Johnston are three of the top scorers in the MLS, though the Wizards defence was one of the worst last season, giving up 63 goals. The signings of All-Star defender Steve Pittman from Tampa Bay and veteran Scottish defender, Richard Gough, should help shore up their backline woes.