Jesus Ferreira on Wednesday scored his second international hat-trick, while Djordje Mihailovic had two goals as the 13th-ranked US overwhelmed No. 139 Saint Kitts and Nevis 6-0 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Mihailovic, Bryan Reynolds and Ferreira scored in a span of 3 minutes, 50 seconds to build a 3-0 lead by the 16th minute.
The US outshot Saint Kitts and Nevis 34-2.
Photo: AFP
“We know that we had to come out here and gain points, gain goals, and I think the team went out there and took care of business,” Ferreira said.
Ferreira has 11 goals in 20 appearances and became the fastest US player to double-digit goals, accomplishing the feat in three games fewer than Clint Mathis. Seven of Ferreira’s goals have been against Saint Kitts and Nevis, and then-No. 170 Grenada.
Ferreira became the fifth US player with multiple hat-tricks behind Landon Donovan with three, while Peter Millar, Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey have two each.
Ferreira was the only starter for the US who played at last year’s FIFA World Cup, appearing in the first half of their second-round loss to the Netherlands.
Mihailovic also had two assists for the defending champions, who matched their largest Gold Cup victory margin, also 6-0 against Cuba in 2015, and Trinidad and Tobago in 2019.
The US, who needed a late goal for a 1-1 opening draw against Jamaica, lead Group A with four points. Trinidad and Tobago have three, Jamaica one and Saint Kitts and Nevis none.
The top two teams advance, meaning the US need merely a draw against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Tonight was one more step forward for us,” US interim coach B.J. Callaghan said.
Saint Kitts and Nevis, who became the US’ 100th international opponents, dropped to 0-2.
Making his first start since June 2019, Mihailovic put the US ahead in the 12th minute before a crowd of 21,216 people with a left-foot shot from the side of the penalty area after a cut-back pass from Gianluca Busio.
Reynolds, playing on his 22nd birthday, beat Julani Archibald with a volley from 20m in the 14th minute after Alejandro Zendejas’ corner-kick bounced twice across the penalty area.
Ferreira dribbled into the penalty area following a Busio pass, scoring on a 12m angled shot in the 16th minute to give the US three competitive goals in the shortest span in their history.
Ferreira then got past an offside trap to score between the goalkeeper’s legs from a Mihailovic feed in the 25th minute.
Ferreira added his third from short range in the 50th minute and Mihailovic added his third international goal in the 79th minute.
Earlier, No. 63 Jamaica beat 104th-ranked Trinidad and Tobago 4-1.
Demarai Gray, playing on his 26th birthday, scored in the 14th and 30th minutes for his first two international goals.
Leon Bailey scored in the 18th minute and Dujuan Richards got a goal in the second minute of second-half stoppage-time.
Andre Rampersad scored for the Soca Warriors in the 49th minute.
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