United States 2 A hat-trick by Omar Ray combined with some outstanding defending by centre-back Raymond Beach helped Bermuda to this crushing 4-2 triumph over United States at National Stadium last night in the second round of the International Youth Tournament.

The win lifted Bermuda's hopes of reaching Friday's final after having lost to FC Porto on Monday night. But they will need at least a point from tonight's match against favourites Rangers to achieve that goal.

After a sluggish opening 30 minutes, which saw attacks by both teams peter out as play broke down outside the penalty areas, Bermuda upped their rhythm and pace and began to take the initiative -- thanks mainly to Ray.

It was just after Bermuda brought off striker Mackie Crane for Jabari Furbert that the fiery Ray got into his scoring act. Goalkeeper Jason Manzi lost his hold on the ball after 42 minutes, allowing Ray to steer it home from close range.

Two minutes later substitute Furbert rocked the Americans with a goal from 15 yards following a brilliant piece of dribbling.

But the United States fought back before the interval and made it 2-1 when D.J. Goolsby smartly headed home a corner from Kenzo Tochiki.

The visitors also replaced their starting striker because of a lack of punch up front, bringing on the skillful and powerful Charles McGinty for Antonio Myers.

United States, looking nowhere near as composed as the previous night when they were edged by Glasgow Rangers, showed better form early in the second half and pinned down Bermuda right from the kick-off. But this wasn't to be a sign of things to come.

With Beach holding the defence tightly together, Bermuda made it 3-1 after 57 minutes when Ray netted from close range after Tarik Jennings made an accurate cross from the right.

Then within six minutes United States suffered further agony when Bermuda took a commanding 4-1 lead with Ray heading home after Justin Lambert made a dashing move down the left flank, using his pace to get by two defenders to make the cross.

Bermuda seldom looked back after this with United States managing only the occasional raid, inspired by the hard running of forwards McGinty and Sullivan.

McGinty was rewarded for his fight and determination a minute from time when a poor clearance by the Bermuda defence gave him the ball and he coolly drilled it into the back of the net to make it 4-2.