The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, American soccer’s oldest and most prestigious knockout tournament, has a long history of crowning unlikely heroes. Yet, few tournaments have seen a striker dominate with such brutal efficiency and decisive impact as Sam Surridge did in the 2025 edition. The Nashville SC forward didn’t just win the Golden Boot as the top scorer; his incredible scoring run—culminating in the championship-winning goal—made him the undeniable centerpiece of the competition, delivering an MVP-caliber performance that secured the club’s first-ever major trophy.
Despite only playing in three of his team’s five games, Surridge tied the Modern Era’s single-tournament record with six goals. Surridge also became just the sixth Modern Era player to score a game-winning goal in three consecutive games and just the second player to score a hat trick in a Semifinal game. His performance was enough for him to be voted TheCup.us Player of the Tournament.
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Surridge distanced himself from the second place finisher, Ricardo Jerez of the Chattanooga Red Wolves (USL League One), who was named the Lower Division Player of the Tournament. Nashville SC goalkeeper Brian Schwake finished third.
The bulk of his formative years were spent navigating the demanding loan system, a crucial rite of passage for young players in England aiming for first-team exposure. These spells honed his competitive edge and provided him with the necessary grit to perform under pressure. He capped off that period by making his Premier League debut for AFC Bournemouth in February of 2019, a momentous occasion that underscored his upward trajectory.
Surridge eventually made the move across the Atlantic in July 2023, joining Nashville SC as a Designated Player. While highly-regarded, few could have predicted the sheer dominance he would unleash in the 2025 US Open Cup, the tournament that would ultimately solidify his place in the annals of Nashville SC history.
Sam Surridge’s selection as the pivotal figure of the 2025 U.S. Open Cup, recognized widely through his Golden Boot accomplishment and the defining nature of his goals, was a result of a tournament performance marked by efficiency, variety, and timely execution. He achieved the remarkable feat of scoring six goals in just three games, averaging a stunning two goals per match, a rate of productivity rarely seen in the competition’s Modern Era.
Surridge was about to show what he’s made of with devastating effect in the Quarterfinal against D.C. United. In a crucial come-from-behind rout that saw Nashville ultimately prevail 5-2, Surridge scored a brace that provided the necessary impetus to swing the momentum back in Nashville’s favor, demonstrating his capability to deliver crucial goals in high-stakes elimination matches.
If the Quarterfinal previewed his form, the Semifinal cemented his legendary status for the tournament. Against the Philadelphia Union, Surridge delivered a sensational hat-trick, propelling Nashville to a commanding 3-1 victory and their first-ever U.S. Open Cup Final appearance.
The goals showcased the complete package of the 6’3” striker. Two of his goals were characteristic headers, leveraging his height and aerial prowess—a consistent threat throughout his career. However, it was his third goal that stood out, a moment of individual brilliance that sealed the win. On the receiving end of a long ball upfield, Surridge executed an exquisite full-volley, striking the ball with perfect technique to nestle it into the top corner of the net. As Nashville’s head coach, B.J. Callaghan noted, Surridge is a player who “scores when it counts,” and this spectacular strike was the very definition of a meaningful moment.
All the goals and performances led to the Final against Austin FC, played on the road at Q2 Stadium. With the score knotted at 1-1 after Hany Mukhtar had given Nashville an early lead, the tension was palpable. The decisive moment arrived at the 60’ minute when a penalty was awarded to Nashville.
Stepping up to the spot to take the tournament-best sixth goal, He drilled the shot straight up the middle, beating the goalkeeper and giving Nashville the 2-1 lead they would ultimately defend until the final whistle. This game-winning goal secured not only the Golden Boot trophy for Surridge but, more importantly, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy for Nashville SC—the first major professional sports championship in Tennessee history.
Sam Surridge’s U.S. Open Cup campaign was a masterclass in center-forward play. His six goals in three games was a historical output, and the fact that his final goal was the game-winner in the final match against a fierce opponent, provides the perfect narrative for an MVP honor. He didn’t just score goals; he scored the right goals at the right moments—the brace to turn the tide in the Quarterfinal, the hat-trick to crush the Semifinal opponent, and the game-winning penalty to clinch the trophy.
In a club determined to succeed through “out-teaming” opponents and fighting for something “larger than ourselves,” as described by Coach Callaghan, Surridge provided the singular, irreplaceable component, the immovable ability to perform under a potentially crushing amount of pressure. His success in the U.S. Open Cup, coupled with his phenomenal form in MLS play, places the Englishman in a rare echelon of Nashville SC legends and confirms him as one of the most impactful mid-season signings in recent MLS history. His name will forever be synonymous with the club’s first taste of major silverware.
