AUSTIN, Texas – Jesús Ferreira had a night to remember against an overwhelmed opponent in the United States’ World Cup sendoff.
The 21-year-old forward tied the US international record with four goals that included a hat trick in a 13-minute span during a 5-0 rout over Grenada. The hard-to-evaluate performance against the world’s 170th-ranked team came in a CONCACAF Nations League match played 164 days before the Americans’ opener in Qatar.
Just three warmup matches remain before US coach Gregg Berhalter picks his World Cup roster.
“I think I’m in a good spot,” said Ferreira, a son of former Colombian national team midfielder David Ferreira, the 2010 Major League Soccer MVP.
“I’m not going to focus on the goals because I know they will come. Just having a good game will do the job,” he added according to AP.
Ferreira is competing for a roster spot and playing time with Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, Jordan Pefok and Daryl Dike.
After an array of misfires, Ferreira put the 15th-ranked US ahead in the 43rd minute, then added goals in the 54th, 56th and 78th to give him seven in 12 international matches.
His four goals matched Landon Donovan (2003), Joe-Max Moore (1993), Buff Donelli (1934) and Archie Stark (1925).
“There’s a certain validation that you get as a striker when you do hit the back of the net,” Berhalter said.
Paul Arriola added a goal in the 62nd as the Americans stretched their home unbeaten streak to 26 games since a September 2019 loss to Mexico, matching the team record set from 2013-15.
On a 96-degree evening, stars Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams didn’t dress for the Americans, who faced a Spice Boys team winless since beating the US Virgin Islands in March 2021. The Americans had 67% possession and outshot Grenada 25-3, including 10-0 in the first half.
Ferreira got the first goal when Arriola crossed and the ball deflected off Kayden Harrack. Ferreira cut to the center and beat goalkeeper Jason Belfon inside the far post with a left-foot shot from 8 yards. The US had entered with just one goal from the run of play by a forward in 13 games.
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