USMNT REWIND: Brace Pushes Ferreira Into Sole Possession of MLS Scoring Lead

Today's U.S. Men’s National Team quiz:

What do these nine players have in common?

Jesús Ferreira. Paul Arriola. Christian Pulisic. Cristian Roldan. Tim Weah. Gyasi Zardes. Richy Ledezma. Haji Wright. Djordje Mihailovic.

They all celebrated goals last week, and important ones at that.

FOLLOW THE LEADER

Jesús Ferreira continued his hot start to the MLS season by connecting for a brace in FC Dallas' 3-1 win at the LA Galaxy on Saturday. Just 11 games into the season, the 21-year-old striker has achieved a career high of nine goals, also good enough for the current league lead. Ferreira also became the fastest player to register three multi-goal matches in a season in club history (11 games).

 

 

The U.S. Men's National team forward struck twice within an 11-minute span in the first half. Hder Obrian ran onto Ema Twumasi’s through ball before playing a cross to Ferreira, who tapped the ball in past goalkeeper Jonathan Bond for a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute. He ran onto Marco Farfan's through ball, rounding Bond and slotting it home for a three-goal advantage in the 23rd minute.

GOAL NO. 3

Paul Arriola kept up his fine start to Dallas' season by scoring the second goal in the 3-1 result over the Galaxy in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 14. He doubled the visitors' lead in the 20th minute. Arriola also ran onto a through ball, this one from Paxton Pomykal, placing it into the bottom right corner in the 20th minute. It was the second-straight game where Arriola found the back of the net.

 

 

MIXED EMOTIONS

Christian Pulisic endured a mixture of emotions this past week. On Wednesday, May 11, he tallied an insurance goal in Chelsea's 3-0 victory over Leeds United in English Premier League action. Pulisic, set up by Mason Mount in the 53rd minute, connected for his sixth goal of the EPL season and eighth across all competitions.

 

 

On Saturday, the 23-year-old took part in the FA Cup Final for a third-straight season,  starting and going 105 minutes during the scoreless draw before Chelsea fell to Liverpool 6-5 on penalty kicks. Pulisic, who enjoyed an active game creating several scoring opportunities, became followed John Harkes as the second U.S. international to start both the FA Cup and League Cup Finals in the same season. The former USMNT captain did so with Sheffield Wednesday in 1993.

 

WEAH TO GO

On Saturday, Tim Weah registered an assist before tallying his first goal of the French Ligue 1 season five minutes into second-half stoppage time to seal Lille's 3-1 comeback win at Nice, spoiling the hosts' chances of qualifying for the UEFA Championship.

Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Weah setup Jonathan David’s equalizer in the 52^nd minute. After David’s 61^st minute goal pushed Lille into the lead, Weah iced the game in second half stoppage time. After a long pass up field by a teammate, Weah took the ball away from a defender before sending Isaac Lihadji a short pass.

Lihadji flicked the ball back to Weah, who rounded goalkeeper Walter Benitez on the right to score.

 

 

GAME INFLUENCER

Cristian Roldan played a role in all three Seattle Sounders goals in the second half of the 3-1 home victory over Minnesota United on Sunday. With the hosts trailing 1-0 in the 50th minute, Roldan began making an impact, drawing a penalty kick after being fouled in the box. Raul Ruidíaz converted the spot kick to equalize for the Sounders.

 

Roldan connected for the game-winner in the 74th minute, powering home a 24-yard blast past goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. It was his second goal of the season, 30th MLS score and 34 across all competitions.

Four minutes into second-half stoppage time, Roldan set up Nicolás Lodeiro's insurance goal.

THE WRIGHT STUFF

Haji Wright had quite a memorable week. He converted a 66th-minute penalty kick to snap a 2-2 deadlock and lift Antalyaspor to a 3-2 victory over Konyaspor in a Turkish Super Lig match on Monday, May 9.

On Sunday, He took advantage of a poor clearance by goalkeeper Erdem Canpolat, intercepting his pass before scoring from the right edge of the six-yard box for a 3-1 lead en route to a 4-2 away win at Kasimpasa.

 

The 24-year-old forward has enjoyed the most productive season of his career, connecting for 14 goals in 31 appearances, including nine in his last nine matches.

On the back of Wright’s strong goal-scoring form, USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter confirmed that the striker will be part of the roster for the team’s upcoming camp.

 

CHAMPION OF SCOTLAND

Center back Cameron Carter-Vickers celebrated winning the Scottish Premiership with Celtic last week. Going into last Wednesday’s visit to Dundee United needing on a point, CCV went the distance as Celtic earned a 1-1 draw.

With the league clinched, the Scottish giants celebrated the title in front of their home crowd on Saturday, earning a 6-0 win against Motherwell. Carter-Vickers went the full 90 minutes in the shutout.

 

 

After a series of loans to English Championship sides the last few years, the 22-year-old had his strongest professional season with Celtic, appearing in 45 matches across all competitions, while contributing four goals.

Like Wright, Berhalter confirmed that Carter-Vickers will return to USMNT camp later this month. CCV earned eight caps for the team between 2017-2019.

MIHAILOVIC REMAINS HOT

Djordje Mihailovic continued his strong scoring output for CF Montreal, tallying the opening goal in the club’s 2-0 win at Charlotte FC on Saturday.

A nice build-up out of the back saw Joaquín Torres flick a ball into the patch for Rommell Quioto on the left, who breezed towards the box before centering for Mihailovic who one-timed his effort past Kristijan Kahlina just before halftime.

 

MIhailovic is one of the most productive U.S.-eligible players in MLS this season, tallying six goals and four assists in 11 matches for CF Montreal this season.

 

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Only 14 minutes after replacing Joey Veerman, Richy Ledezma struck for his first goal of the Dutch Eredivisie season, which proved to be the decisive goal in PSV's 2-1 away win against PEC Zwolle on Sunday. After taking a long ball from Jordan Teze, Ledezma beat goalkeeper Konstantinos Lamprou in the 73rd minute.

Since returning from a torn ACL suffered in late 2020, Ledezma has played five matches, totaling 33 minutes for second-place PSV this season.

OPENING HIS ACCOUNT

Gyasi Zardes found the net for the first time for the Colorado Rapids, converting a 17th-minute penalty to open the scoring in the club’s 2-0 home win over LAFC on Saturday.

Zardes, who joined the team in an April 22 trade with the Columbus Crew, put away his spot kick after Sebastien Ibeagha fouled Diego Rubio in the box.

 

Zardes has two goals in 11 appearances with both clubs this season. The Rapids own a 22-game home unbeaten streak, the fifth longest in MLS history.

HELPING OUT

Eryk Williamson recorded his first two assists of the MLS season in the Portland Timbers' 7-2 home triumph over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.

He started Portland's scoring in the 12th minute, floating in a 25-yard free kick from the right side to Bill Tuiloma, whose eight-yard header beat goalkeeper Tim Melia. The 24-year-old midfielder started the scoring sequence for the Timbers' fifth goal in the 69th minute, sending Sebastian Blanco a pass on the left flank. Blanco flipped a cross to Nathan Focgaca, who finished from close range.

 

 

Luca de la Torre helped Heracles avert a shutout in its 3-1 loss to Sparta Rotterdam in the Dutch Eredivisie on Sunday, May 15. He assisted on Sinan Bakis' 83rd-minute goal.

 

FULL RUNDOWN

 

-- Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg; Austrian Bundesliga - 21 minutes as a substitute in 1-0 win at Rapid Vienna (May 15)

 

-- Kellyn Acosta (Los Angeles FC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at Colorado Rapids (May 14); 29 minutes in 2-0 win vs. Portland Timbers in Open Cup (May 10)

 

-- Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig; German Bundesliga) – 17 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw at Arminia Bielefeld (May 14)

 

-- Paul Arriola (FC Dallas; MLS) - 81 minutes, GOAL, in 3-1 win at LA Galaxy (May 14); Not in 18, DNP in 4-2 loss at Seattle Sounders in Open Cup (May 10)

 

-- Cole Bassett (Feyenoord; Dutch Eredivisie) - 5 minutes as a substitute in 2-1 loss vs. Twente (May 15); 45 minutes as a substitute in 1-0 win at Go Ahead Eagles (May 11)

 

-- George Bello (Arminia Bielefeld; Bundesliga) - In 18, DNP in 1-1 draw vs. RB Leipzig (May 14)

 

-- John Brooks (Wolfsburg; Germany Bundesliga) - 1 minute as a substitute in 2-2 draw vs. Bayern Munich (May 14)

 

-- Gianluca Busio (Venezia; Italy Serie A) – In 18, DNP in 1-1 draw at Roma (May 14)

 

-- Reggie Cannon (Boavista; Portuguese Primeira) - 89 minutes in 2-2 draw at Tondela (May 15)

 

-- Johnny Cardoso (Internacional; Brazilian Serie A) – In 18, DNP in 2-2 draw vs. Corinthians (May 14)

 

-- Cameron Carter-Vickers; (Celtic; Scottish Premiership) - 90 minutes in 6-0 win vs. Motherwell (May 14); 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Dundee United (May 11)

 

-- Justin Che (Hoffenheim; Bundesliga) – 26 minutes as a substitute in 5-1 loss at Borussia Mönchengladbach (May 14)

 

-- Luca de la Torre (Heracles; Dutch Eredivisie) - 90 minutes, ASSIST, in 3-1 loss vs. Sparta Rotterdam (May 15); 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at RKC Waalwijk (May 11)

 

-- Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; MLS) - 86 minutes, TWO GOALS, in 3-1 win at LA Galaxy (May 14); 14 minutes in 4-2 loss at Seattle Sounders in Open Cup (May 10)

 

-- Nicholas Gioacchini (Montpellier; French Ligue 1) - 37 minutes as a substitute in 4-0 loss vs. PSG (May 14)

 

-- Jonathan Gómez (Real Sociedad B; Spain Segunda Division) - In 18, DNP in 2-0 loss vs. Almeria (May 13)

 

-- Julian Green (Greuther Fürth; German Bundesliga) - 17 minutes as a substitute in 2-1 loss at Augsburg (May 14)

 

-- Matthew Hoppe (Mallorca; Spanish Primera) - In 18, DNP in 0-0 draw at Sevilla (May 11)

 

-- Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest; English Championship) - In 18, DNP in 2-1 win at Sheffield United (May 14)

 

-- Sean Johnson (New York City FC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-0 win vs. Columbus Crew (May 14); No t in 18, DNP in 3-1 win vs. Rochester New York FC in Open Cup (May 11)

 

-- Richy Ledezma (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - 31 minutes as a substitute, GOAL, in 2-1 win at PEC Zwolle (May 15); 2 minutes as a substitute in 3-2 win vs. NEC (May 11)

 

-- Sebastian Lletget (New England Revolution; MLS) - 79 minutes in 2-2 draw at Atlanta United (May 15); 28 minutes as a substitute in 5-1 win vs. FC Cincinnati in Open Cup (May 11)

 

-- Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; MLS) - In 18, DNP in 1-1 draw at Philadelphia Union (May 14); 11 minutes in 3-0 win at D.C. United in Open Cup (May 10)

 

-- Mark McKenzie (Genk; Belgian Pro League) - In 18, DNP in 2-0 loss vs. Gent (May 15); Not in 18, DNP in 3-2 win vs. Sporting Charleroi (May 10)

 

-- Matt Miazga (Alaves; Spain La Liga) - In 18, DNP in 3-1 loss at Levante (May 15); In 18, DNP in 2-1 win vs. Espanyol (May 11)

 

-- Djordje Mihailovic (CF Montreal; MLS) – 76 minutes, GOAL in 2-0 win at Charlotte FC (May 14)

 

-- Shaq Moore (Tenerife; Spain Segunda Division) - 33 minutes as a substitute in 2-0 loss vs. Malaga (May 15); 21 minutes as a substitute in 1-0 win at Girona (May 9)

 

-- Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; MLS) - 87 minutes in 3-1 win vs. Minnesota United (May 15); Not in 18, DNP in 2-2 draw vs. San Jose Earthquakes (9-10 PKs) in Open Cup (May 11)

 

-- Yunus Musah (Valencia; Spain La Liga) - 22 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw at Espanyol (May 14); 1 minute as a substitute in 3-0 loss vs. Real Betis (May 10)

 

-- Erik Palmer-Brown (Troyes; French Ligue 1) - 90 minutes in 3-1 loss vs. Lens (May 14)

 

-- Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg; Bundesliga) - Not in 18, DNP in 2-2 draw vs. Bayern Munich (May 14)

 

-- Ricardo Pepi (Augsburg; Bundesliga) - In 18, DNP in 2-1 win vs. Greuther Fürth (May 14)

 

-- Christian Pulisic (Chelsea; English Premier League) - 78 minutes, GOAL, in 3-0 win at Leeds United (May 11); 105 minutes in 0-0 draw (5-6 PKs) vs. Liverpool in F.A. Cup (May 14)

 

-- Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; MLS) - 90 minutes, GOAL, ASSIST, in 3-1 win vs. Minnesota United (May 15); Not in 18, DNP in 2-2 draw vs. San Jose Earthquakes (9-10 PKs) in Open Cup (May 11)

 

-- James Sands (Rangers, Scottish Premiership) - 90 minutes in 3-1 win at Hearts (May 14); In 18, DNP in 4-1 win vs. Ross County (May 11)

 

-- Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach; Bundesliga) - 16 minutes as a substitute in 5-1 win vs. Hoffenheim (May 14)

 

-- Gaga Slonina (Chicago Fire; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-1 loss vs. FC Cincinnati (May 14)

 

-- Zack Steffen (Manchester City; English Premier League) - In 18, DNP in 2-2 draw at West Ham United (May 15); In 18, DNP in 5-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers (May 11)

 

-- Tanner Tessmann (Venezia; Italy Serie A) - In 18, DNP in 1-1 draw at Roma (May 14)

 

-- Matt Turner (New England Revolution; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-2 draw at Atlanta United (May 15)' Not in 18, DNP in 5-1 win vs. FC Cincinnati in Open Cup (May 11)

 

-- Sam Vines (Royal Antwerp; Belgian Pro League) - 23 minutes as a substitute in 3-1 loss to Club Brugge (May 15); 90 minutes in 2-1 loss at Anderlecht (May 12)

 

-- DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-2 draw vs. D.C. United (May 14); 84 minutes in 3-1 win vs. Tormenta in Open Cup (May 10)

 

-- Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; MLS) - 90 minutes in 3-3 draw at Vancouver Whitecaps (May 14); 51 minutes as a substitute in 2-2 draw at Seattle Sounders (9-10 PKs) in U.S. Open Cup (May 11)

 

-- Tim Weah (Lille; French Ligue 1) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 3-1 win at Nice (May 14)

 

-- Eryk Williamson (Portland Timbers; MLS) - 70 minutes, TWO ASSISTS, in 7-2 win vs. Sporting Kansas City (May 14); Not in 18, DNP in 2-0 loss at Los Angeles FC in Open Cup (May 10)

 

-- Haji Wright (Antalyaspor; Turkish Super Lig) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 4-2 win at Kasimpasa (May 15); 80 minutes, GOAL in 3-2 win at Konyaspor (May 9)

 

-- Gyasi Zardes (Colorado Rapids) - 89 minutes, GOAL, in 2-0 win vs. Los Angeles FC (May 14); Not in 18, DNP in 2-1 loss at Minnesota United in Open Cup (May 12)

 

-- Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; MLS) - 26 minutes as a substitute in 2-0 loss at Houston Dynamo (May 14); 120 minutes in 3-2 win vs. Atlanta United in Open Cup (May 11)