Sam Surridge, Warren Madrigal Named to Team of the Matchday

Forwards Sam Surridge (starter) and Warren Madrigal (bench) were named to this week’s MLS Team of the Matchday after their stellar performances in a 4-1 win against the New England Revolution to open MLS play this weekend. 

The Boys in Gold were in dreamland Saturday night. They registered eight shots on goal to New England’s one and 14 shot attempts to four, earned a two-goal lead within 16 minutes and a three-goal buffer by half-time, and coasted to a 4-1 win after 90 minutes — by far the most dominant win of MLS’ opening weekend. 

While many players contributed to Nashville’s victory, from Maxwell Woledzi’s progressive passing from the back to Eddi Tagseth’s tireless running in midfield, nobody registered a greater impact on the game than Sam Surridge and Warren Madrigal, starting together on the front line for the first time. The duo had a role in all four of Nashville’s goals, with Surridge hammering home the opening pair and Madrigal assisting twice before adding a goal himself. 

Surridge’s dominant first-half showing was customary from the Englishman, who has become renown league-wide for his merciless finishing in the center of the box. Both of his goals were true poacher’s finishes: the first a scrappy half-volley into the roof of the net after a Madrigal flick-on, the second a sliding effort from a Tagseth cross. He could have well made it a hat trick shortly after half time, had his back-heel effort not been saved by New England goalkeeper Matt Turner before Madrigal turned it in.

Surridge’s brace, which placed him joint-top of MLS scoring charts, came the same day as the 2025 MLS All-Star’s contract extension with the Club was announced. What a weekend for Nashville’s No. 9.

Madrigal’s inclusion in the TOTM was a just reward for the young Costa Rican, whose two-assist, one-goal league debut became one of the strongest in recent memory and by far the best in Nashville’s history. A perhaps under-the-radar offseason addition, Madrigal was stellar against New England, offering a creative spark on the left wing and a lethal instinct in the box. And though he was only credited for three goal involvements on Saturday, he was crucial in all four.

The 21-year-old’s deflection off a Cristian Espinoza corner set up Surridge’s opener. He corralled an Espinoza long-ball before releasing Tagseth for Surridge’s second. He provided the quick-thinking lay-off for Hany Mukhtar’s goal just before halftime and pounced on Surridge’s blocked shot just after, netting his first goal in gold before exiting to a hero’s applause in the 61st minute.

Nashville returns to GEODIS Park Tuesday for the second leg of its first-round Concacaf Champions Cup tie with Atlético Ottawa.