Former Major League Soccer star Keith Beach aims to use his professional experience to help Robin Hood get to grips with life in the First Division.

MLS powerhouse DC United drafted Beach, who moved to the Island recently, in 1998 from the University of Maryland before being subsequently traded to former professional team Miami Fusion.

The veteran midfielder, who has not played competitively for around eight years, brushed off a few cobwebs in last night's pre-season friendly against PHC at BFA Field and is adamant the Hood will be competitive this season. "I think the club will have to make a bit of adjustment to the pace and commitment it takes to compete at this level," he said.

"Personally I want to come out and enjoy myself and get back in shape to the point the where I can enjoy the game again.

"If we play as a team and play smart we will do fairly well. I don't know Bermuda football that well but I have watched as many games as I could have since I came here and it will be a learning experience for both the club and myself.

"Hopefully my experience of the higher level will come in handy and help the side do well this term."

Bermuda Football Association (BFA) recently approved the addition of both Hood and MR Onions into the First Division, with both teams joining from the now defunct Commercial League.

Both clubs will also have teams in the newly created Corona League.

And Beach believes the BFA's restructuring will benefit local football, particularly the emphasise on grassroots development.

"From the BFA to the community as a whole in order to build the programmes up from the grassroots right up to the senior level, there has to be a commitment," said Beach.

"In the United States children are playing at four and five-years-old in organised leagues with adequate referees and such.

"Coming here has been a good experience for me so far, it has been a number of years since I have played, about eight years since I last played competitively and it shows.

"The BFA is changing and the leagues are changing along with better surfaces so hopefully it will bring the level of play up to a higher level."

Beach is not the only one in is his family with a sporting pedigree - his wife Katie has won two Pan American Games silver medals and captained the United States national field hockey team competing at the Olympics and World Cup.

She was also the head coach at Columbia University and now turns out for local side Ravens.