'Super Sam' - the Englishman battling Messi for Golden Boot

Sam Surridge has scored 29 goals across all competitions for Nashville Soccer Club this season, playing a pivotal role in securing the first professional sports championship for a Tennessee team through his winning goal in the US Open Cup final. The English striker, nicknamed 'Super Sam', aims to build on this success in a city better known for country music than sports achievements.

Currently, Surridge ranks third in the MLS Golden Boot race with 23 goals, competing closely with Inter Miami's Lionel Messi (26 goals) and LAFC's Denis Bouanga (24 goals). He acknowledges the excitement of the three-way competition, noting Messi's impressive scoring streak and expressing readiness for a potential decisive final game, while keeping focused on his own performance.

The upcoming final regular season match will see Messi and his star-studied Inter Miami squad, including Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets, visit Nashville as both teams vie for playoff seeding. Surridge highlighted the significance of this encounter, with his family and friends in the UK closely following the Golden Boot battle.

Nashville's sports scene, traditionally centered around the NFL's Titans and NHL's Predators, is evolving into a "soccer city," boosted by the club's recent Cup win and the opening of the 30,109-capacity Geodis Park in 2022. Surridge, who enjoys watching local hockey games for their intensity, noted the growing fanbase and the positive impact of Messi's presence in MLS, enhancing the sport's popularity in the area.