Timmy Figureido is hoping for a winning start to his professional soccer career tonight.

The Bermudian goalkeeper makes his A-League debut for the Hampton Roads Mariners this evening against the highly-rated Richmond Kickers.

Figureido, who played for Somerset before quitting his teaching job and moving with his wife and family to Virginia, signed for the team at the beginning of the month after impressing in trials.

"The season starts this weekend with back to back games against the Kickers," said the `keeper. "The Kickers were the regular season champions in the A-League last year.

"They are very good, with loads of experience and I anticipate a very difficult match to say the least. On the other hand, we have quite an eclectic bunch of players with a well balanced mix of experience and youth.

"We are starting to mesh well as a cohesive unit and I believe we will be alright if everyone plays to their potential." Figureido said he expected a large crowd of around 8,000 at Richmond's stadium as the club were seeking to break their attendance record.

"As for myself, I feel good at the moment and I anticipate a great season ahead," he said. "My confidence is high and the team has been doing well in training and in the last few practice matches. I hold the belief that it is vitally important to get off to a good start because winning breeds confidence."