Seattle Sounders Acquire Jesus Ferreira In Blockbuster Trade With FC Dallas

The Seattle Sounders have acquired striker Jesus Ferreira from FC Dallas for $1.5m in GAM, potential for another $800,000 in GAM, an international roster spot, and winger Leo Chu. Dallas and Seattle will both retain sell on percentages for their former players. Along with this deal, Ferreria has signed a new long term contract with Seattle that is not a Designated Player deal like he was with Dallas.

The Sounders just got better, a good amount better. It’s not every day that you can acquire a DP level player within MLS and then get them to agree to a new non-DP contract. The 24 year old U.S. international striker is a former MLS Best XI player, MLS Young Player of the Year, and former 2x MLS All Star. Ferreira was barred by injury in 2024, but still managed 10 goal contributions across all competitions. In his Dallas career, Ferreira finishes with 88 career goal contributions in 181 games. 

Jesus Ferreira seemingly will take over as the primary striker on the Sounders roster, shifting Jordan Morris back out to the left winger spot. But with that, this also allows Brian Schmetzer to get extremely fluid and flexible with his line-ups. Ferreira can play as a striker or in that slot just below the striker. Jordan Morris can play out wide and up top at a high level. Pedro de la Vega can slot in as a 10 or shift out wide. Cristian Roldan can play anywhere within that midfield and also outside. The potential fluidity of this team can create an absolutely dominant situation for the Sounders in 2025 as they have to play in numerous competitions outside of MLS action.

For Dallas, they just lost a huge talent but also opened up a DP slot heading into 2025. With rumors swirling around two other DPs (Musa and Velasco) Eric Quill might have a lot of work to do to get the top end of this roster competitive next season. FC Dallas did get back a boatload of GAM in this trade that will help with that. Also Quill got a talent back in youngster Leo Chu. Talent has never been the concern with Chu, it’s been the consistency around his talent. Chu had 21 goal contributions in his 94 games played for the Sounders, but ultimately got less and less minutes as 2024 went on. The 24 year old won a CONCACAF Champions League title with the Sounders and now looks to bring his experience down to Dallas to fight for a starting role.