At the ripe age of 10 years old, Jesus Ferreira made the move from Colombia to the United States, more specifically, Dallas, TX. After the 2016 MLS season, the forward was signed to a Homegrown deal with FC Dallas. On June 3rd, 2016, Jesus made his debut in a 19 minute cameo against Real Salt Lake. He scored in the 89th minute on a cross from Michael Barrios, at just 16 years old. His reward for a debut goal was not making a single appearance for the rest of the season. In 2018, he still didn't get a look for the first team and was loaned to the Tulsa Roughnecks. Ferreira made one three minute appearance against Chicago on the season.
In 2019, Ferreira finally got his reward, signing a four-year deal with FC Dallas. He made his first MLS start on March 23rd, 2019. In his second start, he put himself on the scoresheet. It was once again versus Real Salt Lake, meaning both of his first two MLS goals came against RSL. Jesus, who was donning the No. 27 shirt at the time, scored again just two matches later against Portland. In late August, Ferreira showcased his dribbling ability in a goal scored on Houston, in which he carried the ball from midfield. On Decision Day, he scored his eighth of the season to cap off a 6-0 home victory. Dallas narrowly entered the playoffs as the last seed in the West. Seattle sent FCD home 5-3 in the first round.
In February of 2020, Jesus Ferreira made his debut for the US Men's National Team. Since, he has been capped on 23 occasions, scoring 15 goals. Unfortunately, he picked up a shoulder injury that saw him sidelined for much of the already limited 2020 MLS campaign. Now wearing the No. 9 kit, Ricardo Pepi combined with Ferreira for his lone goal of the season against Minnesota. This connection would be developed much more in the following season. Seattle knocked them out for the second straight year, in the second round this time.
In 2021, Jesús Ferreira replicated his 2019 season, but was even better in fewer minutes played. He found his role as a playmaker, setting a career-high in assists with 9. Ricardo Pepi's 13 goal presence was a huge help in that category. Jesus did most of his scoring late in the season, opening his account in July with a lovely curler against Sporting Kansas City, his first wearing the number nine shirt. This was now the third number he wore for FC Dallas. On August 29th, he registered his first MLS brace against Austin FC. The giveaway for the first goal was so shocking that the TV broadcast wasn't even showing it, but the second goal was a lot prettier, as Ferreira demolished a rebound into the upper 90. Ferreira's final goal of the season was scored against Austin FC as well. Dallas fell short of the playoffs in 2021.
In 2022, Jesus Ferreira took the league by storm. It all started in January, when Ferreira became the first Homegrown Designated Player in club history. He also became a part of the first father-son DP duo in MLS history, as his dad, David Ferreira, was the club's second DP ever. Jesus validated his DP contract soon after he signed it, scoring his first hat trick against Portland on March 19th. Velasco's square pass into the box found Ferreira inside the box, he proceeded to blast it bar down to score his first of the day. Four minutes later, he rose up for a headed goal. Six minutes later, he squeezed the third one in for a hat trick within the opening 36 minutes. Ferreira was scoring goals in bunches, as he added two more in an April match with Colorado. He turned and fired quickly for the first one, then dribbled William Yarbrough for the brace. In May, it was another double at the LA Galaxy. In June, Ferreira scored four goals for the USMNT in a Nations League match against Grenada.
Ferreira was named to the 2022 MLS All-Star Team, contributing one half of play in the match against Liga MX. Just over two minutes into FCD's return to MLS play, Ferreira struck. A second came near the end of the first frame. In a September home match against LAFC, Dallas was down 1-0 nearing the 80th minute. Paul Arriola caught the defense off guard with a free kick that Ferreira poked home to equalize. Just moments later, Ferreira caught LAFC off guard on another free kick, this one direct. He won all sorts of awards for his 2022 campaign. First off, his 18 goals is the most in a single-season in FC Dallas history. He was also named #1 on the 22 Under 22 list. Ferreira was also named to the 2022 MLS Best XI and won the Young Player of the Year award. Dallas qualified for the playoffs as the third seed. Austin FC ultimately got the best of them, 2-1, in the second round.
In 2023, Jesus Ferreira kicked off the season with the same goal-scoring form, unleashing a brace on LA Galaxy in game two. Arriola set him up for the eventual match-winning goal, while he added the capper a little while later. In April, Geovane Jesus found Jesus Jimenez, who laid it off for Jesus Ferreira on the lone goal in a win at Inter Miami. He scored again in the following match versus RSL. Ferreira's next match was with the national team, scoring a late equalizer to deny Mexico their first win in the rivalry in years. Braces were becoming quite normal for Jesus, as he did it again in May versus Vancouver. Once the summer rolled around, Jesus was the star for the US at the Gold Cup. He scored hat tricks in consecutive games, winning the Golden Boot and a spot in the Best XI at the tournament. Jesus' most recent goal(s) came against Real Salt Lake, just over a week ago. Jesus has not scored many penalties in his career, as Dallas earned their first PK in 56 matches, in which he converted. He opened his hips to make it a brace and clinch victory later on.
Jesus Ferreira currently has 12 goals on the season, placing him very much in the race for the Golden Boot. He places tied for a top 10 spot in the race, the trio of leaders have 15 goals. He made the 2023 MLS All-Star team as well, playing 36 minutes against Arsenal. FC Dallas are on the brink of a playoff spot, sitting precariously in the very last wildcard position. Jesus Ferreira will look to guide his team further up the Western Conference standings in the team's final four matches of the season. Ferreira, just 22 years old in what is technically his seventh MLS season, has already provided just under 50 goals for the club, tied for second most in club history. It remains to be seen if he'll stick around in MLS as a DP or go abroad, but regardless his pure goal-scoring talent places him at #72.
YEAR | CLUB | MINUTES | GOALS | ASSISTS |
2023 | DAL | 1,884* | 12* | 4* |
2022 | DAL | 2,665 | 18 | 6 |
2021 | DAL | 2,251 | 8 | 9 |
2020 | DAL | 979 | 1 | 1 |
2019 | DAL | 2,453 | 8 | 6 |
2018 | DAL | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2017 | DAL | 19 | 1 | 0 |
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