When John Barry Nusum bares down on goal for the Atlanta Silverbacks as they take on A-League rivals the Hampton Roads Mariners this season he may have to rub his eyes before shooting.

For standing between him and the goal will be none other than fellow Bermudian Timmy Figureido.

Just weeks after striker Nusum signed a professional deal with the Georgia-based Silverbacks, goalkeeper Figureido put pen to paper with the Mariners.

The former Somerset Trojans player has quit Bermuda, along with his wife, Allison, and two young children, for the chance to live out his dream in Virginia.

"Last year I tried out for the Portland Timbers, another A-League team," said Figureido from the US. "That didn't pan out so I came back home."

After 12 months back on the Island playing as an amateur while teaching at Harrington Sound Primary School and CedarBridge Academy, the `keeper decided to try his luck again. And if fate had not played a part he could have found himself playing alongside, as opposed to against, Nusum.

"I was supposed to go to Atlanta to try out but I got injured and I couldn't go to that one," he said. "But I also had the Hampton Roads Mariners lined up too."

Although he had to prove himself, one aspect that counted in Figureido's favour during the try-outs at Virginia Beach was that Mariners coach Shawn McDonald had been his assistant coach at Old Dominion University in Norfolk.

After impressing during the trials the player was offered a one-year contract as the Mariners number one `keeper with an option for a further year.

"Getting here has been hard but it is even harder to stay here," he said with gritted determination.

Figureido has already turned out for his new team as they step up their preparations for the season opener against the Manchester United of the A League, the Richmond Kickers on April 19.

"I have played in some scrimmages already. We have had three games, although I have been splitting them with other goalkeepers," he said. "We played Old Dominion and lost 3-0. Then we played University of Virginia and drew 0-0 with them and then East Carolina University and beat them 3-0."

The Mariners are re-entering the A-League after a term on the sidelines.

"They had pretty consistent seasons but they dropped out of the league due to financial reasons last year," said Figureido.

"They are starting back up this year with a new team. Hopefully, we can try to be competitive and do well."

And the `keeper is confident he can rise to the occasion.

"It's all about being more consistent and keeping a high level of concentration," he said, adding he hoped the move Stateside would lead to even bigger things.

"This is a foot in the door for me and, hopefully, if I have a good season and things work out maybe I will be in the MLS (Major League Soccer)," he said.

"At any point during the season if anyone gets injured on any MLS team I could get called up to play."

As for playing against a fellow Bermudian, Figureido could be sick of the sight of Nusum come the end of the year.

"We have to play them four times, two at home and two away," he said. "So it's going to be very interesting. I am looking forward to it because I really haven't played against John Barry in a while, except for the training sessions with the national team and maybe once against Wolves."