Sam Surridge: The Englishman Outpacing Lionel Messi in the MLS Golden Boot Race
While all eyes are on Lionel Messi's arrival in MLS, former England Under-21 striker Sam Surridge is quietly making a name for himself. Currently, Surridge leads the Golden Boot race, surpassing even the legendary Messi in the scoring charts.
Surridge's Journey to MLS Stardom
Surridge, now 27, began his career with Bournemouth. Early on, he experienced a series of loans to clubs like Weymouth, Poole, Yeovil, Oldham, and Swansea, gaining valuable experience in the lower leagues. He later secured permanent deals with Stoke and Nottingham Forest, playing a crucial role in Forest's promotion to the Premier League in 2022-23.
His MLS teammate, Alex Muyl, jokingly remarked on Surridge's extensive club history, highlighting his diverse footballing background. While he wasn't exceptionally prolific in England, Surridge's time in League Two proved formative, teaching him resilience and the importance of grinding out wins, skills that translate well to his current success in MLS.
After scoring once in 20 Premier League appearances for Forest, Surridge made the move to the US in 2023 for around £5 million. His impact has been significant. Surridge scored 12 goals in his first season and has already netted 21 this season.
Nashville's Record Breaker
His 43 goals for Nashville SC rank him as the club's second-highest scorer in their history. The club was founded in 2016 and joined MLS in 2020. Surridge credits his experiences in lower-league football for his current success, stating that learning to "grind out a win" from a young age has been invaluable.
"It's definitely a different pathway, I'd say, to what a lot of other players do. But it's one that I think has put me in good stead now. I've experienced loads of different types of football." - Sam Surridge on his career path.
Messi's MLS Challenge: Chasing Records and the Golden Boot
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami face a crucial period in the MLS season, with playoff contention and individual milestones at stake. While the team aims for a turnaround after recent defeats, Messi is also chasing the single-season scoring record, currently held by Carlos Vela, who scored 34 goals for LAFC in 2019.
Messi currently has 19 goals with eight games remaining. To match Vela’s record, he'd need to average two goals per game, a demanding task even for him. Statistically, Messi has been scoring once every 89 minutes this year. To reach the record, he’ll need to nearly double that production.
The Impact of Recent Setbacks
A recent 3-0 loss to Charlotte FC proved costly. Messi missed a penalty, hindering both the team's standing and his individual scoring pursuit. This defeat allowed Surridge of Nashville to extend his lead in the Golden Boot race, currently holding 21 goals to Messi’s 19.
Despite the loss, coach Javier Mascherano defended Messi, taking responsibility for the team's performance. "The responsibility for not getting results is mine. Messi is not to blame," he stated.
The Road Ahead for Inter Miami and Messi
Inter Miami's remaining schedule presents both challenges and opportunities, including matches against Seattle Sounders, D.C. United, New York City FC, Toronto, Chicago Fire, New England Revolution, Atlanta United, and Nashville. These games are critical for playoff positioning and Messi's record chase.
Messi also emphasizes the importance of fitness management after a recent injury. The ultimate goal for Inter Miami, owned by David Beckham, is the MLS Cup. Winning the championship would solidify Messi's legacy in North American soccer, regardless of individual scoring records.
The chase for the single-season scoring record adds another layer of intrigue to Messi's MLS journey. His pursuit begins Tuesday against Seattle, a crucial game for both Miami's season and Messi's quest for greatness.
