Wizard next week, several of them in fact.

US Major League soccer team, the Kansas City Wizard were yesterday confirmed for a one-match visit.

Bermuda Football Association general secretary David Sabir announced the one-off match would take place at National Stadium next Wednesday, starting at 7.00 p.m.

The effort is part of the development plan recently instituted by the BFA to enrich the standard of soccer on the Island.

"We are extremely pleased that this is another step in the development of our international programme,'' said Sabir, who recently returned from the Caribbean with the Bermuda team which split two matches against St. Martin.

"We see it as another opportunity to give our players some insight into the rigours and demands of international football as they prepare along our six-year international programme.

"The players themselves are very excited to be given the opportunity to play against a very well drilled team and certainly a team filled with international stars, giving them the opportunity to showcase the work that they have put in over the last few months and also give the Bermuda public the chance to see where our international programme is and how far we need to go.'' Bermuda will certainly need to improve on their showing down south if they are to avoid being swept aside by a team topping the MLS's Western Conference, having won four of five matches, and employing the services of several international stars.

Forward Mo Johnston stands as the most prominent of the collection, having gained fame as a veteran of 15 professional seasons in Europe (Scotland, England and France), scoring 243 goals in 529 club games, while being capped 37 times for Scotland.

He was also the first player to play for both Catholic Glasgow Celtic and Protestant Glasgow Rangers and played on four League champion teams in Scotland as well as appearing in both the League Cup and Scottish Cup finals.

Others to watch include: Preki, a midfielder originally from Yugoslavia -- now a United States citizen -- who has spent time at English side Everton, Portugal's Estrella Amadora as well as Red Star Belgrade of his homeland. The 33-year-old was MLS's second leading scorer last year with 49 points (18 goals, 13 assists).

Frank Klopas, a member of the United States national team with 14 career international goals. The forward spent four years with AEK of the Greek First Division.

Mark Chung, one of the most skillful American players and possessing 22 caps.

Vitalis Takawira, a speedy striker and prolific goalscorer hailing from Harare, Zimbabwe. Takawira led the league in scoring with 23 goals last year after leading the charts in the Zimbabwe First Division.

Like Sabir, BFA international committee member Jon Beard saw the visit as an ideal test for the local lads.

"The point is that the Wizard are at the top of their group at the moment, are going through a really good spell, have seven international players and there's a chance for us to see first hand the sort of football being played in the MLS and see how we can fare against it,'' commented Beard.

The match will be a reunion for Wizards coach Ron Newman and Bermuda national coach Clyde Best, an assistant coach under Newman with the San Diego Sockers in the now defunct North American Soccer League.

Meanwhile, as an added attraction, the Colonial Insurance Half-time Shoot-out will be staged with selected spectators being challenged to shoot through any of five strategically placed holes for the reward of travel vouchers.