Messing had the lowest goals against average in the NASL last year and is one of the top Americans in the league. He makes a triumphant return to Harvard, which he led to the NCAA semi-finals in 1972. "It's like a dream to me," says Messing. "When I was there, we always imagined what it would be like to play in the stadium."

Eusebio may not return this year, but there are some other world class players to watch. Mid-fielder Antonio Simoes, Eusebio's teammate on one of Europe's top teams, Benifica, is one of the top ball-handlers in the NASL. Some experts consider him to be one of the top five players in the world. Very few players will take the ball from him.

Boston's flashiest, most unpredictable player is 20-year-old forward Ade Coker from West Ham of the English first division. He is capable of suddenly exploding past an opponent and can be expected to try at least one bicycle kick per game.

The defense was Boston's strong point last year and it seems better than ever with the return of iron man Alan Wooler of West Ham, Danish and Scottish leagues star Henning Boel, and player-assistant coach Paddy Greenwood, a member of the championship team of two years ago.

With coach Hubert Vogelsinger emphasizing a quick passing game (do not be surprised to see 10 passes in a row), the Minutemen promise to be exciting to watch.

"We play a faster harder game, like the style they play in England," Messing says. He says he feels that the American players are competitive with most of their fore; colleagues. He says of playing against Pele: "He's like a Bobby Orr in hockey, he's always ten moves ahead of you." But, I feel like an equal to him on the field."