US Under-21s 3 Bermuda 0 Stars and stripes may still adorn the American flag...but yesterday they seemed more suited as campaign decorations for the nation's Under-21 soccer players.

Or should that be soccer soldiers? At Orlando's Seminole County Sports Training Centre, the Americans completely outgunned Bermuda's Under-23 team.

For guts and naked determination to win the Americans were in a class of their own...at least on yesterday's showing.

Only one Bermudian player earned his stripes -- Karl Roberts.

The Vasco midfielder was at his inspirational best, cajoling and urging his team to emerge from their slumber.

But, just as an opera singer needs an orchestra, a general must have an army.

It has to be said most of the Bermudian players appeared to be semi-comatose or shell-shocked, particularly during the second half shambles.

Only Kentoine Jennings -- whose ball control and expert distribution had some of the US officials salivating -- came near to matching Roberts' effort.

As a dejected head coach Mark Trott put it: "We appeared to be sleepwalking today. We just didn't seem to be motivated during the second half.'' For Trott it was his first defeat since taking over for the trip to Germany and the pain was etched on his face.

What a difference from the elation of 48 hours ago when Bermuda repelled America's Under-23 team.

"Their Under-23 team was a lot better than the team we played today,'' said Trott.

"Now we've been brought back to earth.'' The first 45 minutes of yesterday's encounter were desperately lacking in the excitement department.

For the opening 30 minutes neither side carved out a clear-cut opening.

While the Bermudians appeared a shade quicker on the ground, the Americans had the better of the aerial combat.

Roberts controlled the defence with calm assurance, dashing back to tidy up whenever things threatened to go awry.

For the Americans Shohn Beachum was the shining light down the right wing.

His dribbling skills ensured a torrid afternoon for Andrew Rahman, Dean Bailey and Shawn Smith.

The first clear chance came Bermuda's way in the 37th minute when striker Shawn Simons cottoned on to a lob into the penalty area.

But his scrambled effort was denied by US 'keeper Matt Jordan.

One minute before half-time the Americans went ahead with a well-taken header.

Clint Mathis banged the ball past Tim Figureido after a cross from the left by fellow midfielder Andrew Gregor.

The second half began with a brilliant run by Roberts who knifed through the heart of the USA defence, only to squirt his shot to the right of the post.

It was a dazzling solo effort which flattered to deceive, because shortly afterwards Bermuda's game disintegrated.

In the 65th minute America deservedly secured a 2-0 cushion after Beachum left Shawn Smith for dead during a dash down the right wing.

He then crossed the ball into the area where a lurking Mathis screwed home from close range to grab his second goal.

Bermuda's cause seemed ever more hopeless when Roberts limped off in the 70th minute to be replaced by Sean Simmons.

Five minutes later the Americans slotted home number three.

This time Mathis was the provider crossing the ball to midfielder Billy Walsh who scored with a driving header.

The final statistics told their own tale, with America unleashing 19 shots compared to Bermda's six.

Surveying the wreckage of his side's defeat, Trott observed: "Hopefully this will be a wake up call.'' US Under-21s: M.Jordan; R.Moore, M.Petke, T.Foto (C.Parra, 70th min); K.Beach, J.Flores, A.Gregor, C.Mathis, B.Walsh; S.Beachum, S. Jolley.

Bermuda Under-23s: T.Figureido; D.Bailey, A.Rahman (J.Tucker, 75th min), S.Smith, D.Outerbridge; K.Roberts (S.Simmons, 70th min), K.Jennings, K.Tucker (O.Steede, 58th min); A.Russell (R.Lightbourne, 70th min), N.Smith, S.Simons.

Referee: Roy Gatewood.

Men of the match: Shohn Beachum; Karl Roberts.