Bermuda 0 DC United 2 As an education in the standards of international football, Bermuda were taught a harsh lesson as a strong DC United team rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into the soccer textbook at National Stadium last night.

The MLS's MVP last year, Bolivian international Marco Etcheverry, was the honours student, having learned the chapters about keeping possession in midfield and strength on the ball off by heart. He also seemed close to mastering the one entitled shooting and scoring, notching a spectacular second goal and also hitting the bar with a free kick.

Bermuda, by contrast, were the struggling pupils, despite the presence of English league graduates Shawn Goater and Kyle Lightbourne.

Ironically, the home side showed early promise, taking advantage of a swirling wind blowing mainly in their favour.

With only three minutes on the clock, Bermuda forced a corner on the right and Lightbourne showed what he was capable of, rising to meet Meshach Wade's flag kick with a powerful header from just inside the box which goalkeeper Tom Presthus did well to save to his left.

Then the striker took responsibility for a free kick from 30 yards out and floated it only a yard wide.

Bermuda should have taken the lead in the ninth minute with a rapid break from defence. Goater and Lightbourne combined superbly in the centre circle before Devarr Boyles joined the attack. Boyles tried to find Lightbourne again but his final ball asked too much of him.

But there were signs that United, twice MLS champions and winners 5-2 over Tampa Bay in their opening game this term, were beginning to settle, and after a measured build-up Brian Kamler's cross just eluded Ben Olsen.

Moments later, though, in the 18th minute, Bermuda found themselves a goal behind. Richie Williams threaded a ball through the middle to Jaime Moreno, and when he pushed it past Figureido, the goalkeeper mistimed his interception and sent him tumbling.

Moreno rose to send the Bermuda 'keeper the wrong way from the spot.

United almost increased their lead when Figureido came for a long crossfield pass to the edge of his area, failed to make a connection and Moreno hooked the ball over the top.

But the goalkeeper made amends with a fine leaping save to his left to stop Olsen's header from eight yards.

Bermuda missed their best chance of levelling shortly before the break when Lightbourne won the ball in midfield and pressed forward with Goater. But he seemed in two minds whether to shoot or pass to his fellow forward and by the time he did feed him, two defenders were back to block.

United made five changes at the break. And with the wind at their backs now, their superior strength, running off the ball, and ability to keep possession began to have Bermuda chasing shadows.

The increasingly ineffective Rahman was brought off and replaced by Kevin Jennnings, while Keishon Smith, who had failed to provide the attacking impetus from midfield he so often does with Devonshire Colts, was withdrawn in favour of Kofi Dill.

But the changes had little impact, as United set up camp in midfield and exposed the spaces behind the wing backs.

Etcheverry crashed his free kick against the bar and then Clifford Roberts made a brilliant sliding interception to deny Roy Lassiter.

The visitors threw on four more substitutes as they knocked the ball around at will preventing Bermuda's five man midfield, desperately missing the intelligence and inventiveness of David Bascome, providing Goater and Lightbourne with any meaninful service.

And with ten minutes remaining, Etcheverry looked up, saw Figureido well off his line and floated a brilliant chip on the wind over the despairing keeper from 45 yards.

Bermuda: T.Figureido, C.Roberts, S.Burgess, Kentoine Jennings, R.Spence, A.Rahman (Kevin Jennings 58 mins), M.Wade, K.Smith (K.Dill 58 mins), D.Boyles (D.Outerbridge 82 mins), S.Goater, K.Lightbourne (T.Russell 87 mins).

DC United: T.Presthus (M.Simpson 45 mins), D.Sonora (G.Aunger 45 mins), B.Kamler, J.Moreno (C. Talley 45 mins) M.Etcheverry, J.Agoos (D.Hayes 45 mins), B.Olsen (J.Cooks 61 mins), R.Lassiter (A.Wood 61 mins), R.Williams (J.Moore 45 mins), C.Llamosa (B.Bates 66 mins), E.Pope (A.Otero 72 mins).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell .

Men of the match: Kentoine Jennings (Bermuda); Marco Etcheverry (DC United).

Going down: Timmy Figureido mistimes his dive as Jaime Moreno bursts through on goal in last night's friendly and sends the DC United forward tumbling.

Moreno scored from the resulting penalty.

Beaten: Timmy Figureido ponders the outcome after being sent the wrong way by Jaime Moreno's spot kick which gave DC United a 1-0 lead.

Photos by Ras Mykkal Kyle's style: Bermuda's Kyle Lightbourne challenges DC United's Carlos Llamosa during last night's match at a well-attended National Stadium.