Clyde Best lambasted his senior national squad and accused them of lack of commitment after a dismal 3-1 defeat by the University of South Florida in Tampa on Saturday.

And the angry technical director threatened to draft in members of the more impressive under-23 squad to take some of their places for the World Cup qualifying campaign which starts in two weeks' time.

Although the Olympic team also lost 2-1 after an injury-time winner by the University of Tampa in the second match of a double header, the younger side gave a much more sprited display than their elders.

Best and coach Robert Calderon gave the team a lengthy tongue-lashing after the senior side capitulated in their opening tour match.

"We were poor, we did not play well at all and we told the players what we thought in no uncertain terms,'' said Best.

"We were very flat. You just can't afford to go out there and relax like that against good opposition and I expect better things from our players.

"But if they can't do it, then we will just have to use some of the under-23s for the World Cup.

"If we could get some of the enthusiasm and hard work the kids showed tonight, then we'd be happy.'' The seniors' defeat was a personal disaster for goalkeeper Dwayne (Streaker) Adams, who gifted South Florida all their goals with three uncharacteristic errors.

A team missing Kentoine Jennings, ruled out with a pulled thigh muscle, started slackly and played with no apparent urgency, inviting the college side to take the initiative.

South Florida proved a capable side, fit and well organised with players who excelled at doing the basics well.

And the home team took the lead in the 16th minute when Adams dropped the sort of deep cross he normally gathers comfortably and Jason Cudjoe stooped to head into the net.

The students doubled their lead in first-half injury-time, again from a seemingly harmless cross from the left. Karl Roberts shaped to head it clear but then ducked to leave it for Adams who was taken by surprise and dropped the ball. It ran loose to Matt Cavenuagh who tapped in from six yards.

Dandy Town's Paul Cann, one of the few bright sparks in the Bermuda team, made some intelligent runs and he was unlucky not to find the net in the first half.

Twice he was denied by the South Florida keeper, who finger-tipped Cann's first toe-poked effort wide and then palmed away another Cann strike after a deft volleyed pass by Khari Sharrieff.

Rohaan Simons raced through on goal from a Reggie Tucker pass, but was brought down from behind by a Florida defender -- an offence which would surely have earned a red card in a more meaningful match.

Simons was set clear again by a long ball from Shannon Burgess early in the second half, but his first touch was too strong, allowing the keeper to gather.

And the Southampton Rangers striker was luckless once again in the 56th minute, when he jinked between two defenders inside the penalty and was brought down. The referee immediately blew, but astonishingly gave an indirect free kick for obstruction rather than a penalty.

Adams' day went from bad to worse 12 minutes from time. South Florida played a corner short to Andy Chase who played in a hopeful cross-cum shot. Adams moved to his near post to get a clear view, but the ball was already on its way and flew direct into the far corner.

Bermuda's solitary goal arrived eight minutes from time, when Simons latched onto Cann's long ball into the box and squared calmly for substitute Devarr Boyles to side-foot home from 10 yards.

The Olympic team's battle with the University of Tampa was far more passionate affair -- more like a cup tie than a training match.

Tampa, though a weaker side than South Florida, were a solid and competitive outfit and took the lead in the 25th minute with a low shot which gave goalkeeper Nigel Burgess no chance.

Mark Trott's team, playing with teenager Stephen Astwood as a lone striker in front of a packed midfield, started to make headway in the last 15 minutes of the first half.

The Bermuda equaliser came just 60 seconds into the second half when the outstanding Cory Dowling played a fine cross from the left flank, allowing Astwood to poke his shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

Astwood should have had a second 14 minutes later after being sent clear from the halfway line after Tampa had over-committed men to attack. But the PHC striker overran it, allowing the keeper to block with his legs. The ball rolled free to Adam Outerbridge who shot audaciously from 45 yards out, only to see his shot clear the bar by inches with the keeper stranded.

Best fumes after defeat From Page 13 Jemeiko Jennings made excellent use of the ball as he did in the team's first tour match against US under-20s and Outerbridge, Keith Jennings and Kevin Richards all made a big impact after coming on in the second half.

In fact, they gave a fine team display and Tampa's winner in the third minute of stoppage time was hard on Bermuda. Burgess came out for a cross but was beaten in the air before a supporting midfielder headed the bouncing ball home.

Coach Dennis Brown said: "I thought we played much better than in our first game. We defended more intensely and kept our shape well. But I think we learned that you have got to put your chances away at this level.

"It was a tough schedule for the guys to play two games in two days, but this will let us know who's got the guts and who hasn't.''