a weekend tournament against local opposition.

An under 14 group coached by former New York Cosmos defender Tom Lang, along with another squad of under 15-year-olds instructed by Gerry Sharpe, a one time Bristol City player, will play over three days -- today, tomorrow and Sunday -- against four different Bermuda youth teams.

Yesterday witnessed the youngsters, hailing from 15 US associations ranging from West Virginia to Maine, practising various passing drills at BAA field.

Lang said that the goal of the trip was to give the youngsters international experience which could benefit them in the future.

"Basically what we look to try and do with the youngsters is provide the opportunity to travel so that when they get older and possibly get involved with the national team they will have been exposed to the travelling and being away from home,'' said Lang.

"We look to play a possession type, short passing game and look for players who have technical ability and feel comfortable with the ball.'' Lang has coached the past seven years in the US soccer programme, which has produced current American stars Tony Meola, Tab Ramos and John Harkes -- all currently a part of Team USA.

"They all started where these guys are now,'' he continued. "Hopefully they will develop over the next year and be able to make the step to the next level.'' A full-back with the Cosmos during the glory days of the now defunct North American Soccer League, Lang had the pleasure of training alongside the likes of Brazil's Pele and Franz Beckenbauer, of what was then West Germany.

He also remembered Randy Horton from the New York team, although Lang became a member of the New York franchise after the Bermudian had left.

"It was great to be one of just 30 players in the world to have been in the same squad,'' said Lang. "Pele was at the end of his career and so was Beckenbauer, but just to see their professionalism and how they approached the game was a great experience for me as a young player.'' Meanwhile, today has Lang's squad tackling the Bermuda Under 14 Select (5 p.m.), while Sharpe's under 15 bunch have the Bermuda Under 16 National team as their opposition (7 p.m.). Both games are at National Stadium.

The remainder of the schedule is as follows (all matches at National Stadium unless noted): Saturday -- Bermuda Under 15 Select v US Under 14 (3 p.m.), Bermuda Under 15 National team v US Under 15 (5 p.m.); Sunday -- Bermuda Under 14 National Team v US Under 14 (Frog Lane field, 8.30 a.m.), Bermuda Under 15 National Team v US Under 15 (8.30 a.m.).

TOM LANG -- Former New York Cosmo keeps a close eye on players at BAA field yesterday.