Surridge's Back-Heel Goal Stuns Messi's Miami
Listen to the story
Nashville SC took on Inter Miami, the team led by superstar Lionel Messi, in a recent MLS match.
Forward Sam Surridge scored a memorable goal that surprised fans and players alike.
Surridge finished with a back-heel, striking the ball backwards with his heel instead of a normal kick.
The move was described as ridiculous, meaning it was so unusual it was hard to believe.
Thanks to this goal, Nashville SC extended their lead to 3-1 over Inter Miami.
Even with Messi on the field, Miami struggled to respond to Nashville's strong performance.
The scoreline showed Nashville firmly in control of the match at that point.
Highlights of the goal quickly spread across social media platforms.
Many fans praised the skill needed to score such a creative goal under pressure.
The match became a talking point in MLS circles because of Surridge's unexpected finish.
Vocabulary8 words
- MLS
- a professional soccer league in the United States
- goal
- a score made by putting the ball in the net
- back-heel
- a kick made using the back of the foot
- ridiculous
- extremely surprising or unusual
- lead
- an advantage in the score over the other team
- score
- the number of goals each team has
- highlights
- short video clips of the best moments
- skill
- special ability to do something well
Quiz
Answer key
1. A back-heel 2. Nashville SC 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Nashville SC took on Inter Miami, the team led by superstar Lionel Messi, in a recent _____ match.
Forward Sam Surridge scored a memorable _____ that surprised fans and players alike.
Surridge finished with a _____, striking the ball backwards with his heel instead of a normal kick.
The move was described as _____, meaning it was so unusual it was hard to believe.
Thanks to this goal, Nashville SC extended their _____ to 3-1 over Inter Miami.
Even with Messi on the field, Miami struggled to respond to Nashville's strong performance.
The _____line showed Nashville firmly in control of the match at that point.
_____ of the goal quickly spread across social media platforms.
Many fans praised the _____ needed to score such a creative goal under pressure.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think fans reacted so strongly to a back-heel goal?
- Do you think star players like Messi feel extra pressure in matches like this?
- Have you ever seen a soccer goal that surprised you? Describe it.
- Why might unusual goals become popular on social media?