FC Dallas relied heavily on Jesus Ferreira’s goalscoring abilities during the 2022 MLS season and after an opening night hiccup against Minnesota United, the Western Conference club celebrated their first win of 2023 thanks to Ferreira’s heroics on Saturday night.
Ferreira scored twice in an eight-minute span as FC Dallas overcome a first-half deficit to defeat the L.A. Galaxy 3-1 at Toyota Stadium. It was the U.S. men’s national team striker’s first goals of the new calendar year after being held in check last week by the visiting Loons.
The 22-year-old delivered a stellar campaign in Estevez’s first season as head coach, contributing 18 goals as FC Dallas made the MLS Cup Playoffs. Now with two goals through his first two appearances of 2023, the sky is the limit for Ferreira to take another major step forward this year for club and country.
“I think it’s an amazing adventure what he has in front of him, and we’re here to help him and to guide him in that adventure,” Estévez said about Ferreira. “But we have to also be reasonable and know that humans have moments, and I think he’s having a moment of growth that will help him to overcome some things that are important for a young player like him.”
“We needed to give it to the fans,” Ferreira said. “We had to see what we did wrong in the first game that we weren’t able to take three points and apply it to this game. And I think the team was excited and ready for the challenge.”
FC Dallas’ dynamic attack of Ferreira, Paul Arriola, and Alan Velasco all played a role in the hosts comeback performance on Saturday. Velasco’s equalizing goal came in first-half stoppage time before Arriola’s headed pass to Ferreira in the 56th minute was slotted home by the striker to boost FC Dallas in front.
Paxton Pomykal’s through ball pass to Ferreira just eight minutes later was drilled home by the homegrown forward, padding FC Dallas’ lead for good. Ferreira’s growing role for FC Dallas will remain important as the 2023 schedule pushes forward, something Estevez credits to Ferreira’s time with the USMNT over the past 12 months.
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“I think he, overall, [used] that learning experience that he had there to grow,” Estevez said of Ferreira’s time at the World Cup. “We can’t forget that he’s a very young player still [and] it’s his second year playing as a No. 9.
“I think we have to be very calm with him, help him to keep growing as a person, and as a player, and we’ll see what he can do in the future,” Estevez added.
FC Dallas next visits the Vancouver Whitecaps on March 11 before hosting Sporting Kansas City on March 18.