FC Dallas forward Jesus Ferreira is at the World Cup, but you’ve had to look very closely to see him.
After Tuesday’s 1-0 U.S. victory against Iran, which secured the Americans passage to the knockout stage of the most important tournament in men’s soccer, TV cameras showed Ferreira wearing a substitute’s vest and giving a wave to a loved one in the crowd during the U.S. celebrations.
But the forward is yet to be told to take that vest off and make his World Cup debut, with U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter opting for other attacking options in the three games the U.S. has played so far.
Tuesday’s game seemed like it might be the best chance for Ferreira to see some minutes, or at least it did after Berhalter handed a surprise start to Turkey-based forward Haji Wright for the United States’ second group game, which resulted in a scoreless draw against England.
After starting Josh Sargent at forward, Berhalter needed someone to track back and help the U.S. protect its one-goal lead, secured thanks to a Christian Pulisic goal in the 38th minute. Ferreira is known for dropping deep and then shooting forward to stretch defenses or combine with teammates on a counter-attack, but Berhalter once again opted for Wright, this time bringing him off the bench.
“Jesus has been good for us, and a guy who really understands the game plan and how to execute it,” Berhalter said earlier this month when naming the U.S. roster.
But Ferreira closed the season without scoring in his last five MLS matches of the season and also couldn’t find the back of the net in either of the United States’ September friendly matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia.
That, combined with what Berhalter and the coaching staff, which includes former FC Dallas manager Luchi Gonzalez as an assistant, are seeing from Sargent, Wright and attacking options out wide may be contributing to the 21-year-old’s continued wait to see the field.
It’s not out of the question for Ferreira to get minutes against the Netherlands or even start, but in a game that will be the biggest match the U.S. has played in eight years, Berhalter may be inclined to stick with Sargent after starting him in a pair of matches in an undefeated group stage for the U.S. — unless an ankle injury he incurred late in the match keeps Sargent out and possibly opens the door for Ferreira.
Ferreira isn’t the only player still hoping to make his World Cup debut. Center back Aaron Long, midfielders Christian Roldan and Luca de la Torre, and the two reserve goalkeepers are yet to see time.
But after playing 225 minutes in World Cup qualification and putting up the best numbers of his career with 18 goals in Major League Soccer, it was clear Ferreira wanted to do more than make up the numbers in Qatar.
“Obviously, it’s a World Cup. It’s a moment where everybody tunes in and not everyone gets to play this tournament. I’m just excited that they believe in me and that I can be here and represent the U.S.,” Ferreira said after making the roster.
Plenty of FCD fans, and even some U.S. supporters without MLS loyalties, are hoping they get to see Ferreira get his opportunity and make the most of it, removing the bib, getting into the game and waving to the fans in celebration after helping the Stars and Stripes reach new heights.
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