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The style with which he plays evokes memories of his idol.
The rarity with which it is seen has made Lights FC goalkeeper Ricardo Ferriño one of the more intriguing players to break onto the United Soccer League scene in 2018.
In his first professional foray in the United States, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I love the ups and downs – It makes me relate to all of the Latin American immigrants who come here,” Ferriño said. “They have bad times, they have good times, but they keep working. I can relate with them, I like that feeling.”
There has been far more good than bad this season for the 26-year-old Ferriño, who plays the “sweeper keeper” role much like the man he looked up to growing up – Long-time Mexican National Team, LigaMX and MLS goalkeeper Jorge Campos.
If you haven’t seen him play yet, the best word used to describe Ferriño’s game is ‘aggressive.’ Charging out of the box and off of his line on a regular basis to make plays, Ferriño has created one-of-a-kind highlights along the way. And even when things don’t go as planned, he always leaves fans talking, at the very least.
“For those who like (my style), I’m grateful,” he said. “I’m just trying to find the right timing to be able to do it. There’s an amount of risk to it, I know.”
Learning that balance has been the focal point this season for Ferriño, whose 44 goalkeeper saves in 13 starts currently stand as the 7th-highest total in the 33-team USL.
Over the course of the regular season, he’s learned how to regularly play with a more controlled tempo to his style, while still showcasing who he is at heart, both as a player and a person.
For example, there was the time he flew to Mexico and back within a 48-hour window in May to get married between matches, making it to Utah in time to rejoin the team post his first clean sheet of the season against first place Real Monarchs SLC.
Then there was the time against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in early June when he took a second half save – while leading the match 2-0 – and made a run to almost midfield before getting caught up by his surprised opponents. Video of the play had 15 minutes of viral fame within international soccer circles.
And there have been the numerous occasions in which he’s been the life of the party at team events and appearances, including putting smiles on the faces of children during team hospital visits.
Of course, there are also all of the saves – made with flair – in between.
After originally coming up as a member of the Puebla FC (LigaMX) youth academy, then playing for the U-20 Mexican National Team and in AscensoMX, Ferriño has learned and grown, but never lost himself during his first six months in America.
Predictably, there are no plans to change anytime soon.
“In this league, I can see everyone is very tactical and physical – Everyone is a strong athlete,” Ferriño said. “Where I come from, you’re playing against more technical players. I just stick with my playing style, I like to enjoy it and I like reminding tactical players that this is a game, and you have to enjoy it.”
