FC Dallas: Checking off firsts by signing Jesus Ferreira

Forward Jesus Ferreira inked a couple of records when he signed a four-year contract with FC Dallas recently. That made him the first Homegrown Designated player for the club.

Additionally, at age 21, he qualifies as Young Designated Player.

His father, David, was the second-ever Designated Player for FC Dallas. That makes Jesus and David the first ever father-son Designated Players since the rule took effect in 2007. And when hitting the pitch for Dallas, Jesus will wear #10, his father’s number.

So he got the job with a four-year contract. Now, can he do the job?

FC Dallas signed their first Homegrown Designated Player in forward Jesus Ferreira.

Last year for Dallas he played in 27 games, starting all but one. He scored eight goals plus got nine assists.  Those goals made him their youngest top-scorer in club history. When he debuted at age 16 and 161 days old, then scored a goal, he became the fourth-youngest scorer in MLS history.

Besides his typical center-forward position, Dallas successfully placed him in a hybrid midfield-forward possession in their 4-3-3 defensive scheme – also appearing as a 4-2-3-1.

They used that scheme in October against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Both Ferreira and center-forward Franco Jara scored goals.

By the time Dallas finishes spring drills, Ferreira will be in season shape after games with the U.S. Men’s National Team. He’s already gotten called up.

With the National Team last season, he scored two goals and three assists in five appearances.

This latest is his sixth call-up. He’ll be working with the team in vital World Cup Qualifiers. He has probable appearances coming up soon against El Salvador, Canada, and Honduras.

Six total matches remain with the men’s team in second place in the Octagonal standings. The top three teams in the group get automatic qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

After international duty, he’ll return to the pitch for FC Dallas. In their go-to formations, he will continue to supply assists, goals, and in-game leadership of the midfield game plan.

He only has a few categories sorely in need of improvement. These include aerial duels and attempted touches near the goal. However, these are far from the level of critical deficiencies.

Scouting reports testify that Ferreira is staying consistently strong in shot-creating actions, shots blocked, tackles won, and interceptions. He fell in production during the 2020 season but he recovered dramatically last year.

Jesus Ferreira carries into this season with both the momentum of his 2021 performance resurgence and his work during the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. It’ll show from the midfield to the goal when he hits the FC Dallas pitch.