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His non-traditional style of play and penchant for dramatics made Lights FC goalkeeper Ricardo Ferriño an immediate draw for fans starting with the club’s first preseason match in February.
But the club’s coaching staff knew that, for as versatile and skilled as Ferriño is, it would take a larger dose of discipline on the pitch for him to be the goalkeeper the team needed in its inaugural season.
The lessons learned by the 26-year-old during an up-and-down preseason experience clearly sunk in, as Ferriño has been one of the key driving forces behind a hot start to the United Soccer League regular season for Lights FC.
The club is in a tie for first place in the Western Conference standings through three weeks at 2-0-1, with 7 points on the table. Meanwhile, Ferriño is tied for third in the 33-team league in goalkeeper saves with 12.
“We have seen a big change (in him),” head coach Isidro Sánchez said following Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Swope Park Rangers. “All our work, with him learning in the preseason, he has to play as a gentleman in the goal. He doesn’t need to do silly things. Ferriño as a gentleman is spectacular.”
Of those 12 saves, only two came Saturday night against Swope Park off of three Rangers shots on goal.
The Lights FC back line had plenty to do with shutting down an offensive attack that was the league’s highest-scoring outfit coming into the match. But Ferriño took the initiative in stunting several scoring opportunities, as well.
While playing with more control than he did in the preseason, he also showed that he needs that “living on the edge” element in his game to truly be himself and thrive as a player. Saturday night, he showed just enough of it, charging out of his box to throw his body at 50/50 balls and developing attacks, shutting down a handful.
All of this came after allowing an 18th-minute goal on a clean look from straight on, with almost no margin for error to play with.
He’s now grown his popularity with local fans for more than his showman side, but with excellent skill while manning his post.
He’ll get another chance to do so when the club returns from its week away from game action on Saturday, April 14, at 8 p.m. at Cashman Field. That’s when Sacramento Republic FC – also currently part of the 5-team logjam atop the USL Western Conference standings – comes to town.
Single-match tickets for April 14’s match, plus all remaining Lights FC home matches, are currently available at LightsFC.com/SingleTix.
