The ranks of Bermuda's overseas footballers could be swelled by two if Damon Ming and Khano Smith impress while on trial in the United States.

The pair have been snapped up by the Des Moines Menace of the Premier Devlopment League (PDL) -- part of the United Soccer League.

The move has been facilitated in part by Bermuda's national soccer coach Mark Trott and is part of a growing relationship between the Menace and the Island.

The national squad is planning a tour to play the Iowan side in July as part of an increased programme of overseas friendlies.

Smith plays for Dandy Town and is at college in the US. He was part of the Bermuda under-20 squad which met Barbados and Jamaica in 1998 and is said to be on the fringes of the current senior set-up.

Ming, meanwhile, plays in midfield for Devonshire Colts and is studying sports management at High Point University in North Carolina.

The Menace team is primarily made up of college players and some are semi-professional.

Menace general manager Ian McMahon, who played professionally in England and arrived in Iowa recently, said he and head coach Laurie Calloway had taken a close look at the pair before agreeing to offer them a trial.

"I have been liaising with Mark Trott on a variety of topics,'' he said.

"And these players were recommended. After researching them I agreed to bring them to Des Moines to try out.'' McMahon said he was making no promises but the initial signs looked good.

"The players are young and have much to learn but they will definitely develop under Laurie,'' he said. "Damon is exceedingly quick and as such will always create problems for any team, if he uses his pace wisely.

"Khano is big and needs to be a leader on the field, as a forward he can be a great asset.

"Prospects are good, however, we have a very strong team this season and any player who makes it into the squad will have done well.'' The Menace are in their ninth season and lead the PDL in terms of attendances, averaging more than 2,300 last season.

Coach Calloway, who arrived from San Jose of Major League Soccer, said: "We are very excited about the 2001 season. We have a great group of players coming in and they are working hard towards our main goal of winning the championship.'' Fleet-footed: Speedy Colts midfielder Damon Ming.