The IMG Soccer Academy’s tour of Bermuda kicked off yesterday with three of the four matches at the National Sports Centre’s North Field finishing in 1-1 draws.

United FC Under-16 side provided the opposition in the opening match against IMG’s Under-14 side’s US Developmental Academy side, which ended 1-1 after Esteban Correia opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half.

United FC equalised midway through the second half through Isaiah Taylor who netted from a counter attack.

The IMG Academy girls beat the National Academy Under-17 girls’ Select 1-0, when the closely contest match was decided by a second half goal from Victoria Costa. The last two matches finished 1-1 as the Hamilton Parish Under-14 team drew with the IMG Under-15 side.

Parish took the lead early in the first half through Yndae Raynor before the visitors equalised in the second period through Sebastian Derby from the penalty spot.

Dandy Town’s Under-16 side then drew with the IMG Under-16 team, with Hornets opening the scoring in the first half through Oneko Lowe and IMG again levelling the score in the second half through Juan Slebi.

The IMG teams include their Under-14 US Developmental Academy team, which Bermuda National Academy player Aaron Burgess plays for, an Under 14-15 boys’ developmental team, an under-16 boys’ developmental team, and an Under 14-15 girls’ team.

Scott Dean, the director for the IMG, said: “IMG are excited to bring four teams to Bermuda to share with our players Bermuda’s great culture and hospitality.

“The quality of players being developed by Richard Todd, the national staff and the local coaches is very impressive for a small country.”

IMG will complete their tour with four matches today and tomorrow, starting at 9am today and 1pm tomorrow.