Khano Smith will temporarily swap the brown and gold of Dandy Town for the blue and black of US Major Soccer League (MLS) side New England Revolution.

It was confirmed yesterday the Revolution, fresh off a three-match pre-season tour of the Island last week, have invited the towering Hornets striker to accompany the Eastern Conference side on a four-match tour of Ecuador.

Smith, the Premier Division's current joint top goalscorer, departs the Island today for Boston where he will travel with the Revolution to Ecuador tomorrow.

Smith has previously undergone trials on both sides of the Atlantic. Last summer the Dellwood Middle School teacher was involved in trials at UK clubs Oxford United and Rochdale ? two years after signing a one-year contract at United Soccer League (USL) Division Three side Carolina Dynamo.

The 24-year-old Bermuda national team striker and Lees-McRae College graduate, who netted against the Revolution last week at the National Sports Centre, admitted he was taken completely by surprise when contacted late yesterday afternoon by New England team officials from Boston.

"I only found out yesterday they (Revolution) had been in further discussions with Paul Scope (assistant national team coach). He arranged for me to travel with them down to Ecuador and it will be a nice opportunity for me to go down there and do my best. And hopefully something good can come out of it," Smith told .

Smith put Bermuda ahead in the first half during the national team's 3-2 loss to the visiting Revolution at the Sports Centre with a simple tap-in from close range which did not go unnoticed by New England coach Steve Nicol.

The Hornets player said he was shocked the Revolution were interested in him as he rated his performance against the MLS side as "not one of his better games" playing in a Bermuda jersey.

It was following that performance Smith and Scope quietly slipped away with Revolution head coach Nicol and assistant Paul Mariner to indulge in talks that have culminated with the former receiving another shot at playing professional football in the US ? only this time on the biggest stage.

"I guess they (Revs) saw something that they liked although I didn't think I had a particularly good game that night," Smith added. "But I think I have something to offer them and hopefully I can impress them."

With Hornets still on course to defend their Premier Division title, the departing Smith said he has every confidence that his team-mates can complete the job in his absence.

"I wouldn't say I will be a big miss as they have played without me this season," insisted the son of Town technical director Wayne (Jim) Baxter.

"I think it's going to be more of a miss for me because I will be probably be worrying more about them while I'm away."

Smith will miss games against Southampton Rangers and Boulevard but will return for his team's final ? and potentially vital ? last game of the season against North Village.

Smith, a recent recipient of the Sports Minister's Award for excellence, also suited up for Bermuda during last year's World Cup qualifying campaign and the Digicel Cup tournament in St.Vincent.

Shortly prior to jetting off to the US yesterday, assistant national coach Scope commented: "After the match the other night, Steve (Nicol) and Paul (Mariner) said right up front that they liked Khano and wanted to know if he could join them on the trip to Ecuador.

"Obviously we had to scramble around a bit because of the short notice. But it's going to happen and he will overnight right in the stadium (in Foxboro) and fly off to Ecuador with the Revolution tomorrow."

While on tour in Ecuador, the Revolution will play four pre-season matches in ten days against Team Deportivo Quevedo, Club Deportivo El Nacional, Club Sport Emelec and Barcelona Sporting Club between March 15 to March 24.

Scope added: "I think they are most interested in Khano's pace and the fact he plays differently. He's a different kind of striker than the one they presently have."

It had been rumoured last week the Revolution had been interested in having a look at Philadelphia KiXX striker John Barry Nusum, however the US Indoor club reportedly refused to release the 2004 Athlete of the Year award recipient for last week's run out against New England.

New England coach Nicol now intends to have a thorough look at Smith in Ecuador.

"I am impressed with Smith's size and strength and ability to run from deep," noted the former Liverpool great.

"He has a good ability to hold the ball up and is dangerous when in transition or on the counter attack."