The Bermuda Under-18 team will play the first of two friendly matches against what Richard Todd, the National Academy director, expects will be a well-organised United States Under-17 side in Bradenton, Florida.

The matches will be held today and Sunday (10am start) at the US Soccer training base at the IMG Academy complex that houses the USA’s Under-17 residential programme.

Bermuda’s team has something of an international flavour, with players coming together from Bermuda, the US and England, while the US team have been housed together for some time as they prepare to compete in the Under-17 Concacaf Championships and World Cup qualifying tournament between February 27 and March 15.

The team arrived in Florida on Wednesday and had training sessions and a meeting yesterday with coaches Kyle Lightbourne and Don Vickers.

“We had a practice match this morning, following a technical meeting, with an IMG Under-16 select which gave the coaches the opportunity to look at various combinations of players,” Todd said.

“The challenge is trying to quickly bring the group together and put them on the same page to be an effective unit against a United States team that is going to be well-drilled and well-organised.

“We’re under no false pretences as we expect the United States to be organised and to have better preparation at this point. Being in residence all-year-round means they have daily training opportunities as well as playing a significant amount of matches.”

Bermuda, whose focus is the 2016 CFU and Concacaf Under-20 Championships, were invited to provide opposition for the US.

The US have 28 players in their 2015 residency programme in Bradenton.

“Two weeks ago they had Panama here for a similar experience, playing two matches, winning 2-0 in the first match and losing 1-0 in the second match,” Todd said.

“It speaks to the importance of the job in hand in two weeks time when they go to Honduras for that final qualifying round.”

Bermuda will simulate the two matches as a home and away series, with today’s match an “away” tie, with the temperatures dropping close to 30° today as cold temperatures continue to hit the eastern US.

“That will be something for them to deal with, but it is supposed to warm back up on Sunday,” Todd said. “I’m curious to see how the players respond to the challenge of setting yourself up to play “away” first and then giving yourself a chance in the second game.”

Bermuda have a squad of 23 players and the coaches hope to look at as many players as possible during the two matches. Some of the youngsters already have Premier Division experience this season, including midfielder Diondre Dowling, who has been a regular for PHC Zebras, Dandy Town trio Jahnazae Swan, Azende Furbert and Amar Lewis, who is with Chelmsford FC in the UK.

Other players include defender Zenawi Bowen of Hamilton Parish, Robin Hood’s Liam Evans and Tevahn Tyrell, Jaz Ratteray-Smith of Somerset and Jahzarde Samuels of North Village.

Lewis will be co-captain along with fellow midfielder, Kacy Butterfield, while Detre Bell will be the starting goalkeeper for today’s match.

The other UK-based players include David Jones of Mansfield Town and goalkeeper Jahquil Hill of Ilkeston.

The two other goalkeepers in the squad of 23 are BAA Wanderers Nathon Trott and Detre Bell, who is at South Kent School in Connecticut along with defender Tahzeiko Harris and Jai-zel Smith DeShields.

“It’s a great opportunity, but it’s more than just being a free trip, we want it to be meaningful,” Todd said. “I’ve had communication from at least half a dozen college coaches who will be in attendance to scout our players.

“One was at the field this morning during our practice session, having a look. That was the coach from the University of Northern Kentucky, where Liam Evans has signed a letter of intent and will be attending next fall. He is here to look at Liam but potentially one or two other players.

“This group is a large core of under-17s that Andrew [Bascome] worked with over a two-year period with the under-15 and under-17 qualifiers. We are trying to build on foundations that have already been put in place.”

Promising youngster Jaquari Paynter from the Bermuda Under-15 squad, is also on the trip and will be given the chance to gain international experience ahead of this summer’s Under-15 Concacaf Championships in the Cayman Islands.