Compete with Messi for the Golden Boot! Nashville forward Sulic: I may need a hat trick

October 11th Nashville forward Sulic was interviewed. He talked about competing with Messi for the MLS Golden Boot, his decision to move to the United States, his experience playing against Messi, and providing advice to the England team in preparation for the World Cup. Suric has played for Nottingham Forest and other Premier League teams and currently has scored 23 goals in the MLS, only 1 goal behind the top two players Messi and Boanga.

How do you view the MLS Golden Boot battle with Messi?

I might need to score a hat-trick, so it won't be easy. But at the same time, I always believe I can score goals and if I can do that, it will be an amazing achievement.

Our team is in a very favorable position in the league. We had just won the cup and now needed to finish in the top four to get a good playoff spot. I will try my best to get (the Golden Boot). This is awesome. To be mentioned alongside his name is a huge achievement in itself.

What made you decide to come to MLS?

At first I didn't want to come here because I just wanted to stay in England. But then I saw Messi join Inter Miami and I knew they were going to host the World Cup and the league was going to be bigger. The league level has continued to improve every year since I've been here.

What is it like to compete with Messi on the same field?

Before that game against Miami in July, we were undefeated in ten games and I scored 16 goals and he scored 14 goals. I remember we gave him a free kick on the edge of the box and you knew he was going to score. That was crazy, you knew exactly where he was going to kick the ball. And he did. You're trying to focus on the game, but at the same time you know he's out there. It's not easy. He's coming to the end of his career, but he just won the Ballon d'Or two years ago.

To what do you attribute your outstanding form this season?

In the past, I might have let these emotions bother me when the game wasn't going well or I didn't score a goal. But now, after one game, I immediately jump into the next one, go home to spend time with my family, and play the role of a good father. This has been a huge factor in my season (in good form) and has given me a new level of focus.

What advice do you have for the England team that will compete in the World Cup in the United States next summer?

I know England will find it difficult to adapt to the weather here because it won't be easy. Many South American teams will be more accustomed to this kind of weather. Especially when you go to Miami or further south than Nashville, it's very difficult to play in hot weather. There will be a lot of tug-of-war in the game, with teams choosing to drop back and defend, and then look for opportunities to break through the opponent's defense.

They should move the game back because most of our games are at 7pm and it's still very hot. At the Club World Cup, I saw them playing at 2pm and 3pm in 30-degree heat, which was almost impossible.

So, what advice do you have for England playing in the sweltering heat?

This does not mean that you need to conserve your energy during the game, but more that you need to seize the opportunity. Because once you're sprinting flat out in that heat, it's hard to get your breath back. I think coaches are going to adjust their tactics because of that. You see teams that use a high press, and once their press breaks down, they get into trouble. The key is to conserve energy as much as possible.