Jesús Ferreira

Jesús David Ferreira Castro (born December 24, 2000) is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club FC Dallas. Born in Colombia, he represents the United States national team.

Ferreira moved from Colombia to Dallas, Texas at the age of 10 after his father, David Ferreira, signed with FC Dallas. He joined the club's youth side and progressed through the ranks before signing a homegrown contract in 2016. He scored his first professional goal on his debut in June 2017 against Real Salt Lake. In 2018, Ferreira was loaned to United Soccer League side Tulsa Roughnecks where he scored six goals in 14 matches, including his first career hat-trick. The next season, Ferreira returned to FC Dallas and broke through as a starter under coach Luchi Gonzalez. In January 2022, Ferreira signed a designated player contract with Dallas.

Ferreira made his senior debut for the United States in February 2020 against Costa Rica. He was then part of the under-23 side that failed to qualify for the Summer Olympics in March 2020. Ferreira scored his first two goals for the United States in January 2021 against Trinidad and Tobago.

Club career
Ferreira moved from Colombia to Dallas when he was 10 years old. He signed a homegrown player contract with FC Dallas on November 17, 2016. He made his professional debut on June 3, 2017, as a 71st-minute substitute during a 6–2 win over Real Salt Lake, scoring his first goal in the 89th minute of the game.

In May 2018, Ferreira was loaned to Tulsa Roughnecks FC and scored his first goal for Tulsa on August 18, 2018, against Real Monarchs and his first career hat-trick on September 5, 2018, against Seattle Sounders FC 2.

On December 10, 2019, Ferreira signed a four-year contract with FC Dallas.

Ferreira recorded his first career MLS brace on August 29, 2021, scoring twice in a 5–3 victory over Austin FC.

On January 18, 2022, Ferreira signed a designated player contract with FC Dallas, keeping him at the club until 2025. Ferreira was selected as MLS player of the week in week 4 of the 2022 season after recording a hat-trick and an assist for FC Dallas in their 4–1 victory over the Portland Timbers. In week two of the 2023 season, Ferreira was named to the league's Team of the Matchday after registering a brace in a 3–1 win over LA Galaxy.

International career
Prior to obtaining United States citizenship, Ferreira attended United States Soccer Federation youth camps. In 2016, Ferreira was called up to the United States under-17 squad. In 2019, Ferreira received a call-up to the United States under-23 team ahead of qualifying games for the 2020 Summer Olympics. After that had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was called up again to the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship team. The team would fail to qualify for the Olympics.

Ferreira made his first senior U.S. camp in January 2020. On February 1, 2020, he made his senior international debut for the United States in its friendly against Costa Rica. On January 31, 2021, Ferreira scored his first and second goals at that level and was named Man of the Match in a game following his second January camp with the senior team.

On June 10, 2022, Ferreira scored his first international hat-trick by scoring four goals against Grenada in a 5–0 victory during his 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A campaign.

Ferreira was a member of the United States' roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, appearing once at the tournament in the 3–1 round of 16 loss to the Netherlands on December 3, 2022.

On June 28, 2023, Ferreira scored his second international hat-trick with three goals in a 6–0 victory over St. Kitts and Nevis during the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the second round of the group stage, eliminating the Sugar Boys from the tournament. He completed his third international hat-trick in the following match, a 6–0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago, making him the first United States men's player to score hat-tricks in consecutive matches.

He went on to score the equalizer against Panama in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals in the 105th minute on July 12, 2023, but missed the first kick in the penalty shootout, where the United States lost 2–3. Ferreira was awarded the Golden Boot for scoring seven goals, the most of any player in the tournament.

Personal life
He is the son of David Ferreira, a professional player who played for clubs including América de Cali, Atlético Paranaense, FC Dallas and the Colombia national team.

In December 2019, Ferreira received U.S. citizenship. He has been nicknamed "Pirate of the Caribbean" for his history of high-scoring games against national teams in the Caribbean area.

International
Scores and results list the United States' goal tally first.

Honors
Individual
 * MLS All-Star: 2022, 2023
 * MLS Young Player of the Year: 2022
 * MLS Best XI: 2022
 * CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Boot: 2023
 * CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI: 2023