Nashville Soccer Club's Sam Surridge Shines as MLS Star
Nashville Soccer Club has made history by clinching the first professional sports championship for a team from Tennessee, thanks to the remarkable contributions of English striker Sam Surridge.
Surridge's decisive goal in the US Open Cup final earlier this month marked one of 29 goals he has scored across all competitions this season.
This Sunday, the 27-year-old aims to further his success in a city primarily known for its country music rather than its sporting achievements.
Currently, Surridge ranks third in the Major League Soccer (MLS) scoring race with 23 goals, vying for the Golden Boot against Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, who has 26 goals, and LAFC's Denis Bouanga, with 24 goals.
The legendary Messi, along with a star-studded Miami squad featuring Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Rodrigo de Paul, is set to visit Nashville for the final regular season match, where both teams will be competing for favorable seeding in the MLS Cup playoffs.
“Midway through the season, I was leading the race, but Messi caught up,” Surridge said with a smile. “He had an incredible run, scoring five doubles in five games.”
“It's fantastic to compete with someone who has such an incredible goal-scoring record. It's nice to have a three-way race for the Golden Boot, and we are all having exceptional seasons.”
“It might all come down to the final game, which will be exciting for everyone. However, I am focused on my performance and not overly concerned about the competition,” he added.
Despite the Memphis Grizzlies being a three-hour drive away, Nashville's sports culture has traditionally centered around American football and ice hockey.
The city is home to the NFL's Tennessee Titans and the NHL's Nashville Predators, both of which Surridge enjoys watching. “The atmosphere is intense,” he noted, having attended several games. “These athletes are on another level; they really go all out.”
However, buoyed by their recent success in the US Open Cup, Surridge believes Nashville is evolving into a “soccer city.”
The football club, whose CEO Ian Ayre previously held the same position at Liverpool, was founded just nine years ago and joined MLS in 2020. Their state-of-the-art Geodis Park has a capacity of over 30,000, and Miami's visit on Sunday is one of the season's most eagerly anticipated events.
“People here are passionate about sports in general,” Surridge said. “They attend NFL, NHL, and soccer games. The interest is definitely growing, and the Messi effect is certainly a factor.”
“In America, attending a game is more of an occasion. Fans want to be entertained, which is great because that’s our job.”
“We are fortunate to have a strong fan base at our stadium, but many teams upgrade their venues when Inter Miami visits. It’s a significant event for our club.”
Surridge anticipates that next summer's World Cup in North America will further elevate soccer's profile in the United States, but he is wary of the heat—Nashville often trains at 8 AM to avoid the sweltering temperatures.
“Adjusting to the heat will be challenging for players,” he remarked. “We saw it during the Club World Cup when teams struggled to train due to the extreme conditions.”
“Playing at 3 PM in the middle of the day will be tough. Water breaks help, but they don’t solve everything. The pace of the game will slow down, and you want to avoid chasing the ball in the heat for extended periods.”
Surridge's journey to success has been quite different from that of the 38-year-old superstar he is striving to catch. When Messi won his fourth Champions League title and fifth Ballon d'Or, Surridge was just beginning his career, loaned out by Bournemouth to Weymouth in the Southern League at the age of 17.
He honed his skills through loan spells at Poole, Yeovil, Oldham, and Swansea City before breaking into the Bournemouth first team in the 2020-21 Championship season. He later moved to Stoke City and Nottingham Forest in January 2022.
During his time at Forest, Surridge scored seven goals, helping the team secure promotion to the Premier League. However, he started only one of his 20 appearances in the top flight the following season.
“Reflecting on my journey from Weymouth to clubs like Poole Town, Yeovil, and Oldham, I gained valuable experience,” Surridge explained. “Those challenges have prepared me well for my time in America.”
On the prospect of competing with Messi, he said, “It's amazing. I want to keep progressing in my career. I know I haven't reached my peak yet and have much to learn.”
“Since arriving in America, I've gained a deeper understanding of my game and what I need to improve.”
Surridge's departure from Nottingham Forest coincided with a summer where the Premier League club signed 14 new players. Nashville offered him a fresh start, investing around £5 million to make him one of their designated players.
“I wanted to play and embrace a new challenge,” he said. “Nashville presented that opportunity, offering me the number nine shirt and the chance to make an impact.”
“I feel like I’ve repaid their faith in me. That’s what I’ve always wanted from a team. While I’ve had brief spells of support in my career, I’ve never experienced it on this scale.”
“Now that I have it, it would take a lot for me to want to leave. I’m very happy here.”
Surridge has found a sense of confidence and tranquility in Nashville, where he enjoys life with his fiancée, young son, and their dog. This stability has translated into the most prolific season of his career, with 29 goals in 36 matches—almost double his previous best of 15 goals in 32 appearances last season.
“Experience and age play a role,” he explained. “I’ve continued to work hard, and with age comes greater composure in front of goal.”
“Having the backing of a club that wants to play me every week has been incredibly beneficial. I know what I need and what I want from both the club and my teammates.”
While you won’t find him in Nashville’s famous honky-tonk bars, Surridge would recommend the city to anyone considering a move to MLS. “I love it here; it’s perfect for our family,” he said. “We’ve enjoyed exploring different parts of America.”