Missed chances and some momentary losses of concentration cost Bermuda's Olympic team a good result, but they will have benefitted from an intense workout against a talented United States Under-20 side in Florida yesterday.

The Island side made a storming start to their first tour match at Altamonte Springs and with better finishing could have scored three times in the first 15 minutes.

But a US team, coming to the end of a two-week training camp during which they played four MLS teams, looked sharper and fitter and eventually prevailed.

Kyle Beckerman scored the opening goal for the Americans after eight minutes against the run of play before Kelly Gray grabbed the second halfway through the first half.

Substitute Jose Bucarada made it 3-0 seven minutes from time before Rohaan Simons scored Bermuda's first goal of the tour in the 86th minute.

The US starting line-up including nine players from the team which finished fourth at the Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand last year. Despite their youth they are experienced as a team -- these players spent 12 months training together before that World Cup and it showed in their team discipline and cohesive play.

PHC goalkeeper Jay Smith made a string of excellent saves and Jemeiko Jennings in midfield was also outstanding. Tokia Russell started off as if he could rip through the US defence at will but he could not maintain that level as the home side gradually clamped down on him.

Technical director Clyde Best said: "This was a fantastic exercise for us and if we were able to do this more often you would see better things from us.

"I thought we played well in spurts but you have to remember they have spent a lot of time together and have played professional opposition, while this was our first game of the tour.'' Head coach of the under-23s, Mark Trott, said: "We got some good crosses in early in the game and we should have scored from the three chances.

"We need to recognise that our strengths are the natural pace of the guys and the fact we have a lot of good finishers. But we did not put in the hard work necessary to make the best of those strengths.'' Goalkeeper Smith made his first superb save inside two minutes, getting down quickly to his left to tip wide a close range header. But Bermuda came back hard and Simons' spectacular overhead kick was saved before Russell made a powerful run down the right and crossed perfectly for Keith Jennings, but his header was just off target.

As if to make the tourists pay, the US took the lead two minutes later. The impressive Beckerman turned on the edge of the box and rifled a low shot through a crowded goalmouth and into the net.

Four minutes later Jelani Scott missed another good chance when he headed over from ten yards after a long throw-in had been flicked on by Simons.

Jennings then missed the sort of chance he snaps up so regularly for his club Vasco. Jamaul Boyles flicked the ball through the square US defence who appealed in vain for offside, leaving Jennings one on one with the 'keeper but the striker shot tamely wide.

The miss seemed to take the wind out of Bermuda's sails as the US gradually took command. Smith made another brilliant save, leaping to tip over Kelly Gray's close range volley before the US side netted their second.

Beckerman sparked the move with a pass in from the right to Ciala who showed nifty footwork to sidestep Smith and roll the ball unselfishly into the path of Gray, who tapped in to the empty net.

The US were enjoying the bulk of possession but Bermuda almost pulled one back on the half hour with a scintillating counter-attack sparked by the pace and strength of Russell. The Social Club player escaped his marker near the halfway line and dribbled to the edge of the box before releasing Simons whose cross just evaded the diving Jennings at the far post.

In the second half the game petered out into a midfield battle with the US continuing to boss the play.

The home side's third goal came in the 83rd minute after Bermuda lost possession and were immediately punished by Bucarada who smashed a ferocious left-foot drive high into the net.

Simons finally got his goal four minutes from time when he ran onto Stephen Astwood's diagonal ball, cut inside the fullback and planted his shot just inside the near post.

The senior team are playing the University of South Florida this afternoon while the Under-23s take on the University of Tampa.