Bermuda Under-18 national team squandered an early two goal lead as the United States Under-17s came from behind to win 5-2 at the IMG Academy complex in Bradenton, Florida yesterday.

However, Richard Todd, the National Academy director, said two goals in the final five minutes flattered the home side somewhat as Bermuda gave a good account of themselves for most of the match.

“There are a lot of positives from the result,” Todd said. “Obviously scoring in the fourth and 20th minutes was a tremendous start but from that point, whereas the US moved from strength to strength, some of our players started to break down, in particular some of the players [based] in the northeast [US] area that has snow at this time and they are not outside training and playing at the moment.”

Oneko Lowe, the midfielder, gave Bermuda the lead after just four minutes and Kacy Butterfield added the second in the 20th minute from a long-range free kick that the goalkeeper failed to deal with.

That was as good as it got for Bermuda, however, as the US drew level before half time with goals in the 24th and 36th minute through John Nelson and Joe Gallardo.

Josh Perez added another five minutes after the restart as the US went ahead for the first time, before two goals in the final minutes by Keagan Kelly, including a penalty, cushioned the margin of victory in the first of two games between the sides.

“At two-all at half time we conceded a free kick early in the second half to go down 3-2 and with five minutes to go the score was still 3-2,” Todd said.

“For me there is a little bit of disappointment in not achieving the objective of simulation exercise in that if we were playing away in the first leg, would we be content to come out of there 3-2? The players failed to consolidate a little bit and gave up two goals in the last five minutes and lost 5-2 instead of 3-2.

“We feel it is a lack of experience that we have from being in these type of match situations, so we need more of these opportunities for our players. We know that we can match up with them, but for them to go 2-0 down, they didn’t lose composure and stayed disciplined and focused, whereas we tended to lose composure and become a bit rattled.”

Todd was impressed with the residence programme in Florida and would like to see Bermuda also develop a similar youth structure.

“The United States are near the top of the pile in Concacaf and we’re not that far off, but the real question is are we prepared to do the things required that will allow our teams to be competitive and experience success,” Todd said.

“I mean the BFA administrators and Government as well. Are we simply satisfied just to enter these tournaments to fulfil criteria and tick boxes that make us eligible for some funding here and there, or are we serious about real development of our players and our teams to give them a real chance to succeed?

“Are we content just to play, or are we serious about advancing because in all honesty I think our chances of advancing to a World Cup is far greater at youth level than at the senior level.”

The two teams will meet again tomorrow morning in the second match at the same facility. Bermuda will make some changes to the team in a bid to have every player involved.

Goalkeepers Detre Bell and Jahquil Hill each played a half while Nathon Trott, the third goalkeeper, will be involved tomorrow.

Yesterday’s starting team: Detre Bell, Azendae Furbert, Tahzeiko Harris, Zenawi Bowen, David Jones Jr, Kacy Butterfield (co captain), Amar Lewis (co captain), Jaz Ratteray Smith, Jahnazae Swan, Oneko Lowe, Aaron Burgess.