Columbia, on Thursday evening after a 0-0 draw against Trinidad and Tobago.

The United States qualified from Group C as winners following a 2-0 triumph over Costa Rica on Thursday and will now join Canada, from Group A, and Mexico and Honduras, as the best second-place team, in the final round which will be played on a round-robin basis with double-headers tomorrow, next Tuesday and Thursday.

The top two teams from the round robin will represent the CONCACAF zone at the World Under-20 Championship in Australia in March next year.

After Bermuda's 5-0 opening loss to the United States last weekend, they improved with a 4-0 loss to Costa Rica and the scoreless draw with Trinidad, which left both teams without a goal in their three matches.

"It was a better overall performance,'' coach Robert Calderon said yesterday as the team prepared to return home.

Calderon was most impressed with the Americans who were coached by Bobby Howe, a former team-mate of Clyde Best at English First Division club West Ham United. Howe is director of coaching for the state of Washington and once coached Seattle Sounders.

"They had superb preparation,'' said Calderon. "They would beat every First Division team in Bermuda. All of our kids have never played at this level before and the quality of the opposition was far superior to what they've seen before.

"We had enough chances to beat Trinidad. We have some areas where we need to do a lot of work in, like fitness and moving without the ball, offensively and defensively.'' Calderon, who along with assistant coach Jack Castle talked with Howe, explained how he watched the United States practise a drill constantly for 45 minutes. "He was a solid guy, very informative and very friendly,'' said Calderon of Howe.

Calderon added that from a coaching standpoint the trip was worthwhile. "What needs to be understood is that we had the opportunity to play against three quality teams,'' he said. "These three teams traditionally come first, second or third in this tournament so we were in the toughest group.

"Our players would have gained tremendously from this tournament. They marvelled at the Americans' fitness and discipline.'' Calderon praised the efforts of defenders Keishon Smith, Jamar Samuels, Kimandi Binns and Dano Outerbridge. Bermuda return this afternoon.