Ferreira makes USMNT history with back-to-back hat tricks

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Striker Jesus Ferreira scored three first-half goals against Trinidad and Tobago to become the first United States men’s national team player to score consecutive hat tricks in international competition.

The six combined goals came in an 88-minute period in the Gold Cup group stage, with the first three coming on Wednesday against St. Kitts and Nevis in St. Louis.

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Ferreira also became just the second player in USMNT history with three career hat tricks, joining the team’s joint all-time leading scorer, Landon Donovan.

No other player, regardless of country, has multiple career Gold Cup hat tricks, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

Ferreira gave the U.S. the lead in the 14th minute from a DeJuan Jones assist and doubled the lead in the 38th minute before a penalty in stoppage time completed the hat trick.