FC Dallas traded an MLS star with deep-rooted ties to the organization Wednesday when it dealt forward Jesús Ferreira to the Seattle Sounders in exchange for winger Léo Chú, general allocation money and a 2025 international roster slot.
The move sends a local stalwart out of Dallas. Ferreira moved to Texas when his father began playing for FC Dallas in 2009, and he ascended toward stardom after joining the franchise’s academy program as an 8-year-old.
In 2017, Ferreira became the second youngest player to score an MLS goal when he found the back of the net at 16 years and 161 days old. He then enjoyed a banner year in 2022, setting an FC Dallas record with 18 MLS goals and appearing in the FIFA World Cup in the Qatar as a striker for the United States National Team.
Ferreira has scored 15 goals in 23 total appearances for the U.S. national team, and in May, he became the youngest player in MLS history to reach 50 career goals.
“On behalf of everyone at FC Dallas, I want to thank Jesús Ferreira for his contributions to our club,” FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said in a statement. “From his time in our academy to becoming one of the top players in MLS, Jesús has made a tremendous impact on our organization. His dedication and goal-scoring prowess will always be an important part of our history.”
Ferreira, 24, is taking part in the U.S. national team’s January Camp this month in Florida.
Chú will arrive in Dallas as a winger who scored seven goals over four years with Seattle. FC Dallas also will receive a minimum of $1.5 million in general allocation money from the Sounders, a figure which could climb to as high as $2.3 if Ferreira meets certain incentive levels.
Ferreira isn’t the first homegrown forward with national team experience to leave FC Dallas in recent years. Ricardo Pepi earned MLS Young Player of the Year in 2021 and then joined a club team in Germany.
The season after Pepi departed, Ferreira won MLS Young Player of the Year to keep the award in Dallas.
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