Charlotte FC academy made their first presence felt at the fourth edition of the Bermuda Triangle Cup with a 3-1 victory over the national academy under-15 side at the National Sports Centre on Thursday.

Connor Ulrich scored the first two goals, before Carsyn Hall added the third from the penalty spot, for the Major League Soccer youngsters. Patrick Daka, the Charlotte coach is impressed with the level of organisation in the tournament, which has already afforded him an opportunity to meet Bermudian sporting legend Clyde Best.

“The tournament is well organised, the teams are competitive, and the Bermuda teams are well-coached and organised,’’ Daka said.

“They have a talented pool of tricky players capable of producing something special in key moments. It was great to meet the great Clyde Best, what a player he was and a great ambassador for Bermudian sports and culture.”

Former sports minister Ernest Peets, a consultant with Bermuda Sports International, feels the presence of the Charlotte team plays a crucial role in the growth of football on the island.

"The Triangle Cup is a terrific preseason tournament,’’ Peets said. “Having the U15 Charlotte FC academy team in this tournament really helps our national team in their development. I was really happy with the quality of the talent that was on display during the opening matches. I think we can expect a phenomenal final on Sunday."

In the other match played under floodlights on the first day, the Bermuda Under-17 Academy side beat G Ball Academy 3-1.

Charlotte were due to play Somerset in a late kick-off on Friday, while Hurricanes met Bermuda Under-17 in the first match of the second day.

Four matches are lined up for today, with a parents seminar as well as a local youth skills clinic also taking place. The third-place play-off and final will be held tomorrow.