Jesus Ferreira scores 4 as USA beats Grenada in Nations League opener

• Ferreira scores early four goals to take the USA in the lead.
• The first three goals were scored in the first 13 minutes.
• The USA will now face England, Iran, and Wales in group B in Qatar World Cup.

Jesus Ferreira overcame early adversity to score four goals as the United States opened their championship defense in the CONCACAF Nations League with a 5-0 thumping of Grenada on Friday.

The 21-year-old FC Dallas striker, vying for a spot in Gregg Berhalter’s World Cup squad, took some time to get going in the sweltering conditions at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, where the United States dominated possession against 170th-ranked Grenada but failed to capitalize on a number of first-half opportunities.

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Ferreira finally scored in the 43rd minute, after missing the target in the 28th and 33rd minutes and having his left-footed attempt saved by Grenada goalkeeper Jason Belfon.

He gathered Paul Arriola’s deflected cross and sent a left-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area inside the far post.

It was the first of three goals scored in a space of 13 minutes.

Ferreira increased the tally in the 54th minute, and two minutes later, he made it 3-0 with a superb right-footed volley from a corner kick.

In the 62nd minute, Arriola made it 4-0 with an angle shot off a ball from Luca de la Torre.

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Ferreira concluded his night with a goal in the 78th minute.

“I wasn’t too much focused on the goals,” said Ferreira, who has struggled to replicate the scoring touch he’s shown for Dallas on the international stage.

“I wanted to focus on my game, have a good game and the goals would come.”

The match was the Americans’ final on home soil before the World Cup in Qatar, where they will compete in Group B against England, Iran, and Wales.

They defeated Morocco 3-0 in a friendly last week before tying Uruguay 0-0 on Sunday, and will now play El Salvador in a Nations League match on Tuesday.