Stapleton preparing for the Revolution

MAJOR league soccer in the US will not start for another three months, which is probably just as well. On his first day as New England Revolution coach, Frank Stapleton looked out the window and noted that the Foxboro Stadium pitch upon which his team will play its games, was under two feet of snow.

Following his introduction to the Boston media yesterday, the 39 year old Stapleton spent the afternoon on a brief, house hunting expedition. This morning, along with Brian O'Donovan, the Clonakilty born general manager, he will fly to a more hospitable climate in California, where the pair will spend the next five days assessing the talent at MSL's combine try outs, where hundreds of US soccer players, who will ultimately form the bulk of MLS rosters, will be on display.

Stapleton, with 71 caps and 20 goals, is Ireland's leading scorer in international competition, and got the Revolution's head coaching position ahead of Argentinian Ossie Ardiles and Northern Ireland born Brian Quinn.

"We interviewed a wide range of coaches, including some very high profile people who were very interested in coaching the Revolution," said team owner Jonathan Kraft, whose family also owns the New England Patriots of the National Football League. "We were most impressed with Frank Stapleton, and feel he understands the challenges ahead for this new league; while sharing our family's commitment to putting a championship team on the field in Foxboro.

"We believe Frank is the perfect choice to bring a successful brand of attacking soccer to New England's sports fans," added O'Donovan.

Stapleton, who signed a two year contract at a reported $125,000 a year to coach the Revolution, takes over a team which at the moment has only two players - US national team defenders Alexei Lalas and Mike Burns. While most of the roster will be filled in a February draft of Americans, each team will be allowed four foreign players.

O'Donovan has already committed himself to using at least one of those spots for a member of the Irish team, and MLS representatives have been negotiating with goalkeeper Packie Bonner on behalf of New England.

Stapleton's selection enhanced the chances of a second Irish player winding up in Foxboro as well.

"Paul McGrath came by my house in Manchester the day before I left mainly to wish me well and say goodbye," said Stapleton, who confirmed that McGrath had expressed his interest in joining his old team mate (from their Manchester United days as well as from the Republic team) in Foxboro. "There's no doubt about the quality of his play, and I don't think there is a more popular Irish player," he said.

"I spoke to Alexie about Paul at breakfast, and he's quite excited. But," Stapleton added ominously, "we've still got to have somebody who can put the ball in the net."

Stapleton's prior coaching experience, a three year stint as player/manager with Bradford City, produced decidedly lukewarm results, but he noted yesterday that "nine times out of 10, the reason you get a job like this is that someone else has been unsuccessful. The exciting part of this job for me is that everyone is starting from the same place."

Asked about the style of play his fledgling team could be expected to employ, Stapleton said: "I played with some big clubs, including Ajax. That's the style I'd like to emulate. We won't be playing the style of Ireland. It's not my philosophy to play the long ball game. We intend to keep the ball on the ground whenever possible - and to score a lot of goals."

. A last minute goal by Oscar Garcia gave Barcelona a 2-1 victory in their city derby with Espanyol at the Nou Camp last night.