Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge injured: What Nashville SC coach Gary Smith said about them


Nashville SC defeated Moca FC 3-0 in its CONCACAF Champions Cup opener, but it didn’t come away unscathed.

Forwards Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge both left Thursday’s game in Dominican Republic after getting hurt. Although Nashville coach Gary Smith doesn’t expect Mukhtar’s injury to be serious, Surridge’s status is unclear for the MLS season opener against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday (4 p.m.).

Mukhtar, the 2022 MLS MVP, started feeling tightness in his hamstring and went down to the ground in the 35th minute, ultimately walking off on his own before being replaced by Jacob Shaffelburg. Smith said Mukhtar wanted to stay in the game, but remained on the bench instead.

“Hany was a precaution, really,” Smith said. “He came over to the line and said, ‘My hamstring’s tightened up, I’m sure I can push through this.’ At that point, we were two goals to the good, and I didn’t want to take that chance.”

Hany Mukhtar has been injured before

This isn’t the first early-season injury scare for Mukhtar, who went into training camp nursing a foot injury that forced him to miss two games before his preseason debut on Feb. 2 against Toronto FC. Hip tightness forced Mukhtar to come off the bench in his first two games last season, in which he played a combined 60 minutes.

Surridge collided with teammate Tyler Boyd shortly after halftime and went straight to the locker room with a shoulder injury. Smith expects to learn more about the striker’s condition once the team returns to Nashville.

“He’s fallen awkwardly on his shoulder, and I don’t think we can know exactly what the problem is until we get back home,” Smith said. “He seemed in good spirits in there, not too much discomfort, so I’m hoping that’s a good sign.”

Mukhtar and Surridge both scored in the first half, assisting on each other’s goals.

What Hany Mukhtar’s injury means

If Mukhtar misses any time, Nashville had success during the preseason playing Boyd, normally a winger, in Mukhtar’s attacking midfield spot. Without Surridge, Nashville’s top option at striker is Teal Bunbury, who came in for Surridge on Thursday.

MORE: Nashville SC overwhelms Moca FC in CONCACAF Champions Cup opener

MORE: Here’s what’s at stake for Nashville SC in 2024 MLS season: ‘Go from good to great’

Jacob Shames can be reached by email at [email protected] and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC injury update: Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge exit game early



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