Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge

Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge

 Photo: Nashville SC

It was one of the biggest wins in franchise history, a one-sided home victory over superstar Lionel Messi and his star-studded Inter Miami CF club that kept Nashville SC in first place atop the MLS standings.

But no matter how many times he was tempted by the question following NSC’s 4-1 triumph over Miami at Geodis Park on Saturday, Nashville captain Hany Mukhtar wasn’t ready to call the beatdown a “statement” game.