FRANK STAPLETON travelled to Boston last night where he is scheduled to be confirmed as the first head coach to the New England Revolution. The announcement will be made at a press conference which is due be held at 5 o'clock Irish time this afternoon.
The former Irish international striker, who beat off the challenge of Ossie Ardiles for the job, is believed to have been offered a two-year contract by the club which is one of 10 to compete in the new North American League.
New England have already signed two members of the USA international side - Mike Burns and Alexei Lalas - but one of the Irishman's first duties will be to travel to California in February where hundreds of local players are set to try-out for contracts with League teams.
The New England side are expected to sign Packie Bonner in time for pre-season training in Florida in March, while they have also expressed interest in adding John Aldridge and Paul McGrath to their squad for the League's inaugural season which gets underway in April.
Each side is allowed to include four non-American players for the season although green card holders will not count as foreigners. This should make them particularly attractive to clubs looking to establish strong squads with specific appeal to particular ethnic groupings.
The New York Metro Stars also appear to be potential employers of Irish international players in a league which will also boast teams from Los Angeles, Dallas and Tampa Bay.
