THE American dream team, at least the Irish version, will be in action in Dublin this weekend but not, as one might expect, in the Budweiser Superleague. Instead they will line out in the preliminary round of the National Cup with Mid Sutton/Baldoyle (MSB) fielding as many as four American-born players for their clash with Tolka Rovers in Griffith Avenue on Sunday, one of three games down for decision over the weekend.

Jerome Westbrooks is the man responsible for this gathering of talent with Ed Randolph joining Westbrooks, who both hold Irish passports, lining up along side Ben Battori and Gerald Kennedy. But, at the moment, Lennie McMillen is unlikely to line out for the squad.

However, yesterday while McMillen stated that he was not playing gave more than a hint that he could be persuaded to change his mind. "I have been asked to play for MSB but I don't want to get myself cup-tied. I have been training with Mid-Sutton but we will wait and see what happens."

McMillen lined out with Marian in the Superleague last week and, having finally received his passport last week after a 13-year wait, he is now a category one player like Randolph and Westbrooks. But the likelihood is that McMillen will play for a team outside Dublin.

The possibility that McMillen will turn out on Sunday has not been ruled out by Westbrooks.

But, whether McMillen plays or not, this game is being taken very seriously by Westbrooks, who is also coach to MSB. This is a cup game and we will do everything we can for victory. There will be no chances taken, nothing can be taken for granted and we won't be leaving, it until late in the game either.

MSB are not just heavy with American talent they also boast several home-grown players such as Emmanuel Haastrup, who experienced action with Tralee last year and for whom Westbrooks has high hopes, as well as Bernard Walsh and Tom Richardson.

In the Superleague Denny Notre Dame will be anxious to get their challenge back on track but they will have to plan without their American Harold Foster, who has returned home after breaking his foot in last week's game. St Paul's will be hoping that the luck they had last week, when they won almost on the buzzer, will remain with them.

Garvey's Tralee will surely get a thorough testing of their capabilities when they entertain Neptune, although a realistic assessment of the Cork side could not be made after their low-scoring tight first outing.

Karl Donnelly is certain to have mixed feelings when he lines out for Star against the team which nurtured his talent, St Vincent's. St Vincent's have yet to secure the services of an American with Adam Stockwell, who lined out for them last week, returning to help St Gall's for their cup game against Glanmire. The loss of Donnelly is acute but his younger brother Emmett may prove to be a more than adequate replacement. Home advantage is certain to give the Belfast side the points and a further indication of their hopes of lifting the title.

Killester are another side with much to prove and should prevail against Queens, while Sligo and Marian will meet in St Michael's.