Bermuda international midfielder Taurean Manders savoured the sweet taste of victory in Dallas, Texas, over the weekend.

Manders, 18, was a member of the Group A Under-19 champions, IMG Soccer Academy Blue, who edged Toronto Junior Lynx 2-1 at Lake Highlands Stadium in the Dallas Cup final on Sunday.

IMG completed the tournament unbeaten, defeating the likes of Universidad de Monterrey (1-0), Santa Clara Sporting Ruckus (4-0) and ASG (2-1) during the round-robin phase of the competition with Manders netting in the 4-0 drubbing of Ruckus.

The Florida-based academy then beat Argentine club River Plate Red in the quarter-finals, Comets Blue in the semi-finals, before defeating the Lynx in the championship match.

Having compatriots Jahnai Raynor, Daniel Johnson, Robert Richardson and Jaqui Simons watching from the bleachers help add to Manders? experience.

The local quartet also featured in the tournament, representing the Chesapeake Athletic Dragons, though with less success.

Chesapeake failed to win a match competing in the Group C Under-19 bracket, managing just one draw (2-2) against Knowsley Youth.

Manders, who plays locally for North Village, has been enrolled at the IMG Soccer Academy for the past two years and is due to graduate in May.

The former Berkeley Institute student and son of former Western Stars and Somerset Cricket Club Cup Match skipper Andre (Doc) Manders has been awarded a football scholarship and is scheduled to commence academic studies in New York at Iona College next September.

Manders has been recognised by the Ministry of Community Affairs and Sport annual National Junior Athlete Sponsorship Programme for the past two years and has represented Bermuda at both international youth and senior levels.

Over the past 26 years the Dallas Cup has attracted thousands of young players from around the globe, and has steadily grown to include on average 45 international teams as well as several teams from the US.

There are now plans to expand the annual tournament by including an Under-15 and Under-13 age bracket next year.

The competition is widely considered to be the world?s top youth tournament, providing college coaches across the US and professional scouts from around the world an opportunity to watch some of the most talented teenage players.

The event is sanctioned by North Texas Soccer, the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA.

Another local footballer, Damon Ming, featured in Maidenhead United?s 3-2 loss against Weymouth on Saturday in the UK.

The 25-year- old winger was among manager Dennis Greene?s starting eleven and saw 55 minutes of action before being substituted.

Ming jumped off the bench as a substitute the previous weekend on his debut during the Magpies? 3-2 loss to Bognor Regis.

The Nationwide South club remain one spot off the bottom of the table with only six wins to their credit.

They were scheduled to meet Redbridge yesterday.

Ming recently signed for Maidenhead from Conference side Barnet FC.

The former Devonshire Colts and Somerset Trojans forward netted six goals for Bermuda during last year?s 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign, including a memorable hat-trick against minnows Montserrat.