Sam Surridge Nashville SC's Solution to Striker Woes in MLS
Sam Surridge Nashville SC's Solution to Striker Woes in MLS
Since joining MLS in 2020, Nashville SC has made significant progress, but their striker department has been a revolving door, with various players auditioning for the No. 9 role without fully meeting expectations, despite the team's investment. Even with Hany Mukhtar shining as the exceptional playmaker, the search for a reliable striker continued until the recent acquisition of Sam Surridge, a new Designated Player from England.
General Manager Mike Jacobs expressed excitement about Surridge's profile, expecting him to be a powerful target man capable of playing with his back to the goal and exploiting spaces behind opposing defenses. Surridge's work ethic aligns well with the team's blue-collar approach, and his connection with coach Gary Smith, who hails from the same country, adds to the team's expectations.
Currently sitting fourth in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, Nashville SC has high ambitions for the rest of the season. However, their lack of productivity from the striker position has hindered their progress. With Surridge now on board, the hope is that he can complement Mukhtar's attacking prowess and significantly impact the team's performance.
Surridge himself acknowledges Mukhtar's talents and believes they can work together effectively, combining their goal-scoring and assisting abilities to enhance the team's performance. Having previously proven his goal-scoring abilities in the English Championship and Premier League, Surridge sees the move to Nashville as an exciting opportunity for personal and team growth, especially with the league's expansion and the arrival of players like Lionel Messi.
In conclusion, Nashville SC's striker woes may be a thing of the past with the addition of Sam Surridge, and the team looks forward to a prosperous partnership with their new English forward as they aim for success in the MLS.