Mark Trott's career as Bermuda's national soccer coach began with a defeat, but the Island team put up a fighting performance in Tennessee on Saturday.

Although Bermuda started the brighter and carved out numerous openings against their American A League opponents, the side's lack of fitness proved the difference and a goal in each half was enough to overcome them.

Team manager Jon Beard said: "The attitude of the players has been first class. They have recognised the deficiency in their fitness and that it is up to them to improve this.

"We have to try and find them more games of this calibre to help them to achieve this goal.'' Watched by a number of exiled Bermudians, including former player Kenny Cann, the Islanders dominated proceedings for the first 20 minutes.

Carlos Smith, playing wide on the left, surged past the Metros defenders at will and linked up well with the hard working Stephen Astwood and Dwight Basden.

Karl Roberts and Keith Jennings were dominating the midfield and it seemed certain that the visitors would make the breakthrough.

However, as Bermuda began to run out of fuel in the 80 degree heat, the Metros were able to assert their authority.

After 23 minutes Nashville got behind the Island defence and a cross was fired in from the right.

What should have been a routine clearance saw the ball knocked down invitingly for Metros striker Jeff Hauser, and he gave goalkeeper Timmy Figuerido no chance from 10 yards out.

The Metros continued to take the game to Bermuda and the back four of Lionel Furbert, Shannon Burgess, captain Kentoine Jennings and Stanton Lewis were put to the test.

But they proved equal to the task and when the ball did get beyond them Figuerido was on hand to make a number of key saves.

As half-time approached Bermuda went in search of the equaliser and Smith scorched past the defence only for Paul Cann to just miss connecting with his cross.

Astwood had the first chance of the second-half, but his flick from another Smith centre was not enough to beat the home 'keeper.

Then just as it looked as if Bermuda might get themselves back into the game they shot themselves in the foot.

A poor pass out of the back left Figuerido stranded and Pasi Kinturi nipped in and lobbed the ball over the 'keeper and into the net.

The Metros began to take charge once again and holes began to appear in the Island defence.

In a bid to restore some parity, Trott brought on Devonshire Colts strike duo Quincy Aberdeen and Marvin Belboda and also introduced Jahmah Samuels to the fray.

The Colts pair both went close and in the last minute Belboda, known for his super-sub heroics in the domestic league, appeared destined to net a consolation.

However, despite weaving his way through the defence the big man blasted his shot over the bar with just the 'keeper to beat.

Despite the loss Beard said both he, head coach Trott and his assistant David Furbert had been delighted with the performance.

"This has been an excellent step in the development of the national programme,'' said Beard. "We showed, without a doubt, that we can play at this level. However, we must improve our level of fitness and continue to create a professional environment for our players.'' Nashville: C.Burgman; R.Cain; D.de Vall; B.Fisher; J.Wall; J.Bailey; S.Kraemer; G.Valencia; D.Schell (P.Kinturi); J.Hauser; J Fenger.

Bermuda: T.Figuerido; L.Furbert (J.Samuels); S.Lewis; Kentoine Jennings (capt); S.Burgess; K.Roberts; Keith Jennings; P.Cann (Q.Aberdeen); C.Smith; D.Basden (M.Belboda); S.Astwood.

Note: Bermuda were due to play the second of their tour games against an Hispanic Allstars team late last night. No news of the result had been received by press time.