The Bermuda Football Association (U14 -1994) National Academy team is taking part in a week long assessment of international competition. This is a great opportunity for players to be assessed considering they only have trained and played amongst themselves at home. This also provides a bench mark for the local coaches to have a better understanding as a team overall.
Under the direction of Devarr Boyles, Youth Director, and Scott Morton, Assistant, 21 players have played a total of two games, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Their first match was against FC Schulz, considered by many as one of the best Youth Clubs in the United States. Bermuda went down (3-1), playing (3-25) minute periods. Chikosi Basden, scored the lone goal for the team. However, Schulz, scored their third and final goal with only 5 minutes remaining in the third period. Much was learned during this match, for this being their first game together as a unit the coaching staff was pleased with their performance, however still much work needs to be done as a team. Meanwhile, Schulz has won the Super –Y League on a number of occasions in various age groups. They’ve also produced three players who are currently playing for the US National World Cup team, and Jozy Altidore, presently playing for Hull City of the English Premier League. Schulz Academy is ranked # 10 in the Country by Soccer America 2009. They are the only Florida Club to receive this distinction in 2007, 2008 and again this year.
The team then prepared for their second match against IMG Academy Youth team, which consisted of a four hour drive to and from the match. Once again, the team played (3-25) minute periods against their opponents. After the first period of play, the local boys were down 2-nil, and by the end of the second period two more goals were conceded. Going into the third and final period, the team was down 4-nil. The level of performance was shown during the third and final period, as they did not concede a goal. Not only that, but the coaching staff was pleased to see they were able to play their style of game, moving the ball from the back up to the front. From this assessment, it was pointed out that they need to improve on penetration in order to finish off for goal.
