Bermuda's national soccer players have been told they will have to perform if they want to stay in the side, as there are plenty of others waiting for a chance to steal their place.

Those who could by vying for spots in the starting eleven include overseas stars Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne, who will both be told they are wanted men by new coach Mark Trott.

Trott picks his first team this weekend when Bermuda take on the Nashville Metros of the US A League in a match in Tennessee.

The tour will also take in a game with an Hispanic All-Stars team.

"First and foremost it's a trip that allows me to assess every player individually and collectively to see where we stand when it comes to playing at a higher level than what they are used to every week in the domestic league,'' said the coach, who will be accompanied by assistant David Furbert.

"I'll be looking at each player's strengths and weaknesses in respect of their individual technique and as a group.'' Trott said he would be moving away from the way the Island has played on the international stage in the past.

"We are deviating a little bit from our usual 3-5-2 formation, in that now we are going to be playing 4-4-2 with a flat back four,'' he said.

"Historically, ever since I have had the guys from Under-17s and Under-23s I have always played in a 3-5-2 formation but now I have changed it a bit based on the players I currently have in the team.

"It will be interesting to see how they respond to that.'' Bermuda Football Association are sending a 20-man squad to the US and Trott said they would all get a run out.

"Everybody will play. The first match, which I consider the most important of the two from an opposition point of view ... based on how that is going will determine how I play with the substitutes, whether it is a rolling in and out situation,'' he said.

Trott said although there were players who would not be making the trip it did not mean they were ruled out of future matches.

"There are other people who are definitely in contention. The present squad know that the initial one that I picked had about 36 guys,'' he said. "They are aware that while there may only be 20 of them going there are maybe 14 or 15 others, who when they are available, would be given consideration.

"Also as we move on and move back into the season there will be other players who hit form and show that possibly they have capability to play in the national team. They too will be considered.'' Trott said the managerial partnership had yet to decide whether Devonshire Colts stopper Shannon Burgess would lead the nation into battle.

"I haven't made that decision. The only thing I have told them with respect to that is that it's a new beginning,'' he said.

"Whether or not I decide to reappoint Shannon as the captain that will be a decision I will make after speaking with David Furbert. The bottom line is the final decision will rest on my shoulders but I will definitely hear out the comments from David because he is my right hand man.'' Trott said he had detected a renewed sense of enthusiasm for the national programme among Island players in light of Bermuda's disappointingly early exit from the World Cup qualifiers last year.

"The players are very enthusiastic and are very keen,'' he said. "I have noticed that they have a very good rapport with each other already. That counts for a lot because a lot of emphasis has been placed on the team concept and team unity -- no one person is going to be considered the star of the team.

"You have players who shine above the group and each team has key players but they understand that no one player will be treated any differently. The rules apply to everybody.'' With no knockout tournaments on the horizon, Trott said matches such as the ones this weekend were crucial if the team were to develop into a coherent unit.

"That's the key element really. There is one invitation we have received for July and I would definitely like that to come off,'' he said. "It allows us to play in three or four matches and the great thing about that is that instead of 20 players they have agreed to possibly 22 players. That widens the circle.

"Also on this trip guys know that there is no guarantee that because they went this time they will be going on the next one. It's all performance related.'' Trott said the Island's overseas players would come into that equation.

"The only people I have spoken to, and not recently, are David Bascome and (Dwayne) Streaker Adams,'' he said. "I haven't had an opportunity to speak with Shaun or Kyle and the main reason for that is I know they are both involved in very titantic situations and I wasn't about to disturb them.'' Goater is fighting relegation from the Premier League with Manchester City and Lightbourne, though set to be released this summer, is in the Stoke City squad vying for a place in the Second Division play-offs.

"When those campaigns are finished I will make an official approach through the Association. Those guys would definitely be in my plans if they would like to be involved,'' he said.

Mark Trott: Intends switching from a 3-5-2 formation to a 4-4-2 for this weekend's tour matches in Tennessee.