For Bermuda's national soccer team it has a been a long time coming.

But this weekend they will finally get to kick a ball in anger after 12 months of inactivity.

Since being unceremoniously dumped out of the World Cup qualifiers on away goals by Antigua in April of last year, the team has not taken to the field.

That situation changes today, however, when Mark Trott's men take on the Nashville Metros of the US A League in Tennessee.

Then tomorrow the side will take part in a game against an Hispanic Allstars team.

A squad of 20 has been taken to the US by the Bermuda Football Association and Jon Beard, the association's education and development coach, said they could not wait to get into action.

"I have been talking to them and they are all very excited about being involved,'' said Beard from the team's Nashville base. "The senior ones are particularly talking about the fact that they can see more immediate goals rather than just training.

"Everyone I have spoken to individually is pleased that we are out there again and competing. They are happy that the team is back together again.'' At this early stage of the team's development Beard said they were happy they were playing a side who, while competitive, offered them a chance of getting something out of the game.

The A League is a rung down from Major League Soccer and the Metros came in bottom last year. However, they started this year with an almost entirely new roster and opened the new season with a victory.

"I think they are happy to be playing an A League side rather than trying to match themselves against the United States or somebody like that,'' said Beard." It should be a realisable goal.'' Though a victory would be a good morale booster, Beard said people back home had to realise this was a new beginning for all concerned.

"We would love to win it but it's also got to be about developing the team.

We have told them what we really want is a very good all round performance from everybody,'' said Beard.

"Winning would be great and that's what we ultimately want to do, but failing that it has to be 100 per cent from everybody and everybody trying to work together towards the gameplan.'' Bermuda squad: T.Figuerido; T.Hall; C.Smith; P.Cann; D.Outerbridge; D.Thomas; S.Astwood; K.Jennings; T.Davis; L.Furbert; D.Basden; K.Jennings; D.Bailey; M.Belboda; K.Roberts; S.Burgess; S.Lewis; J.Samuels; J.Boyles; Q.Aberdeen.