LCHS taps LAFC's Ritson as new coach

After a lengthy process, La Cañada High has found its new boys’ soccer coach in LAFC Chelsea boys’ U12 coach Barry Ritson.

Ritson, who has coached with the Los Angeles Futbol Club for five years now, was hired last month to take over for former coach Jordan Jones, who left for personal reasons. The Newcastle, England, native is currently the LAFC Chelsea 12-and-under boys’ team coach, which has been ranked No. 1 nationally since winning both the Cal and Cerritos memorial cups in late May.

In addition, Ritson has been the assistant director of coaching with LAFC Chelsea and has worked in the US Development Academy for years.

“We have to make sure the kids realize and appreciate [the game],” Ritson said, “and make sure they give everything they’ve got on the field.”

LAFC Chelsea is an organization that helps student-athletes in high school focus on grades while playing soccer and Ritson emphasized the importance of education, stating that their priority will be in the classroom and not on the pitch.

“The selection committee was appreciative of my views on the school and how I would make sure the boys are doing their school work,” Ritson said. “I was a student-athlete too. My difficulty was balancing my athletics with my school work.”

A self-described disciplinarian, Ritson hopes to help build on the success the team had ? last year under Jones.

“I consider La Cañada a soccer school,” Ritson said, “especially working alongside Josh Henderson.”

Though a few of the players are already in the LAFC program, Ritson will host the first team meeting and get to know the players on Aug. 24.

La Cañada lost only three seniors last year and retain their leading goal scorer, Matt Cannatta, and goalkeeper, Jack Hale.