Name: Tyrell Burgess

Age: 22

Position: Winger

Club: Vancouver Whitecaps (USL-D1)

Former club: Reading Rage (PDL)

Bermuda club: North Village

International caps: Nine

Flying winger Tyrell Burgess believes he is on the verge of becoming a regular starter for Vancouver Whitecaps and has vowed to seize his opportunity.

The 22-year-old Bermuda international has been used exclusively as a second-half substitute since signing a two-year deal with the USL-D1 defending champions.

But having received positive feedback from his coach Teitur Thordarson, he is adamant it won't be long before he forces his way into the starting line-up and is satisfied with the way he has acquitted himself since joining the professional ranks.

"Everything is going great and my feelings so far this season are good," said Burgess.

"I haven't been on the pitch much but I have been working hard and my chance looks like it may come soon.

"I want to be fully prepared to take advantage of it.

"Everyone involved wants success which is great to be apart of because you develop the same mentality."

The former Reading Rage man could soon find himself playing Major League Soccer after Whitecaps were awarded an expansion franchise for 2011.

And Burgess, who has made five substitute appearances for ninth-placed Whitecaps so far this season, said the biggest lesson he has learned has been in the transition from amateur to professional.

"I have my points to improve upon and I am steadily getting there," he said.

"The coach likes many of my qualities but he also recognises other things that I need to do before I am ready for the pitch. I have been working very hard so that I can be ready.

"The greatest thing I have learned at this level is that you have to carry yourself as a professional, you have to make good decisions all the time."

Vancouver Whitecaps play Minnesota Thunder at home tomorrow.

Name: Keishen Bean

Age: 22

Position: Midfielder/Striker

Club: Ottawa Fury (PDL)

Former club: Bermuda Hogges (USL-D2)

Bermuda club: North Village

International caps: Eight

Ottawa Fury's Keishen Bean insists he must develop a ruthless streak in front of goal if he is to continue his promising start to life in the PDL.

Bean, 22, has scored three goals this season from an uncustomary left-wing position, but is adamant there's far more to come from him as Fury look to maintain their undefeated run.

"The thing I need to work on is my hunger," said the former Bermuda Hogges' striker.

"My coach always says that he can count on me when we are down or in a draw.

"However, I need to be more ruthless in front of goal and score even when we are four and five nothing up.

"He's right, there have been about four times this season when we are tied at one or down by one and I always seam to find the net when needed.

"However, I need that same hunger even when we are dominating a game.

He added: "My coach has taught me the right runs to make on and off the ball to put me in goalscoring positions.

"I've come a long way in the past two months of playing at a professional level and I hope to continue to grow."

Sitting second in the Northeast Division and with two games in-hand on their rivals, Fury look like a decent bet to reach the final four this term and Bean is delighted he decided to move to the Canadian outfit.

"I started the season a little slow but after about three games I got used to the pace and started to perform at a high level that made my coach proud," said Bean, who was sounded out about a move to league rivals Reading Rage before signing for Fury.

"I've been playing as either an attacking midfielder or on the left wing where I have been used as a creative attacking player. I've had the license to roam and dribble which has made me very happy with the team I chose to play for."

Bean scored for Bermuda Under-23s in their 2-1 defeat against Pittsburgh Riverhounds at BFA Field on Sunday.

Ottawa Fury play Rhode Island at home on Saturday.

Name: Taurean Manders

Age: 21

Position: Midfield

Club: Bradenton Academics (PDL)

Bermuda club: North Village

International caps: Four

Combative Bradenton Academics midfielder Taurean Manders still harbours hopes of earning a living from the game.

The versatile player is now in his second full season with the Florida-based team and dreams of following in the footsteps of Ventura County Fusion's Anton Peterlin who signed for Premier League side Everton from the PDL earlier this week.

Manders, son of Bermuda Under-19 cricket coach Andre Manders, believes the PDL offers a springboard into the professional ranks for those who possess the desire and ability, but knows the competition to win a full-time contract is fierce.

"I know our coach (Tom Durkin) was talking to MLS and USL teams back in January about me, but nothing has panned out as of yet," said the 21-year-old, who scored in Academics' draw against the Nashville Metros last weekend.

"That's the route I'd definitely like to take.

"But there are a lot of players at this level who are looking to get spotted by MLS and USL teams and a lot of it comes down to your desire."

In terms of the technical level and hunger of the players, Manders said the PDL is superior to Bermuda's Premier Division where he turned out for North Village.

"The PDL is very competitive and the intensity is high," he said.

"Obviously it's a US league so the training facilities are higher than in Bermuda.

"There isn't too much difference in terms of the technical level, although I think the PDL is a little bit better.

"The biggest difference is probably is that many of the PDL players are striving to go professional so their desire is far greater."

Manders is keen to resurrect his international career having not featured in a Gombey Warriors jersey since January 2008 when Bermuda lost to Puerto Rico, and is still eligible for Bermuda Under-23s.

He has been following the Island's flagship National Academy team's results against USL-D2 opposition closely this summer and wants to be apart of their future Olympic and Pan Am Games qualifiers.

"I heard they (Under-23s) played very well against Pittsburgh Riverhounds and I've been following their progress," he said.

"I've played with most of those players when I was coming up and I'm definitely interested (in playing).

"I'm pretty sure they (the BFA) have my details as I can't just show up and start training without an invitation."

Bradenton Academics, top of the Southeast Division, play Central Florida tomorrow.