Jesus Ferreira recorded a historic hat trick to lead the U.S. Men's National Team to a 6-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago in Group A action of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sunday in Charlotte, N.C.
Ferreira scored in the 14th and 38th minute before adding a penalty kick in the third minute of first-half stoppage time to become the first U.S. men's national team player with consecutive hat tricks.
He scored three times in a 6-0 win over St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday and has scored 14 goals in 21 international matches. Ferreira also tied Landon Donovan for the most hat tricks (three) in program history.
The U.S. won the group to advance to next Sunday's quarterfinals by tying Jamaica with seven points (2-0-1) while holding the goal-differential tiebreaker.
The Americans logged a plus-12, while the Jamaicans finished at plus-8 after their 5-0 win against St. Kitts and Nevis on Sunday. The U.S. entered the final day of the group stage with a three-goal edge against Jamaica.
Ferreira, who plays for FC Dallas of MLS, made sure the Americans were in control from the onset. He made it 1-0 off a pass by DeJuan Jones.
The first touch for Ferreira moved the ball from his left foot to his right, and he ripped a shot. The second goal was on his own rebound.
Marvin Phillip made the initial stop, but Ferreira's second chance was headed toward the goal before hitting the leg of Trinidad and Tobago defender Sheldon Bateau and continuing into the net.
Ferreira extended the lead after Djordje Mihailovic drew a penalty. Ferreira's six goals in the Gold Cup break the American record of five by Chris Wondolowski in 2013.
Cade Cowell scored in the 65th minute for a 4-0 lead, and Gianluca Busio, born in Greensboro, N.C., tallied in the 79th to make it 5-0.
Brandon Vazquez scored in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage as the U.S. improved to 5-0-0 against Trinidad and Tobago in the Gold Cup.
Matt Turner made three saves for the U.S. Phillip finished with two.
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