Nashville SC recorded their biggest-ever MLS victory on Saturday as Sam Surridge's four-goal haul inspired them to a 7-2 rout of the sorry Chicago Fire.

B.J. Callaghan's hosts were coming off a 3-0 defeat to the Seattle Sounders last week, their third loss in four games, but they got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion.

A Surridge penalty set them on their way in the 15th minute, with Jeisson Palacios netting their second seven minutes later.

A brace from captain Hany Mukhtar helped them into a four-goal lead by the 31st minute, then Surridge scored three more – one before half-time.

Philip Zinckernagel and Hugo Cuypers were on target for Chicago after the interval, but that was no consolation as they suffered the heaviest defeat in their MLS history, surpassing a pair of 6-2 losses to D.C. United (in 2016) and the Columbus Crew (in 2003).

It was the first time Nashville had scored seven goals in an MLS match, with their previous record margin of victory being four goals (5-1 versus Inter Miami and Chicago in 2021, and 4-0 versus FC Dallas in 2022).

"It's pretty special," Surridge said after becoming the first Nashville player to score four times in a single game. 

"I haven't taken advantage of my opportunities recently. As a number nine especially, it's important for myself to get those goals."

Surridge had two goals in nine games this year prior to Saturday's win, but coach Callaghan was always sure he would hit form.

"Each week, Sam puts in a really good shift," Callaghan said. "Maybe the goalscoring has been slow to come, but he’s been doing everything for us every match. 

"Tonight he was rewarded, but you keep putting yourself in good positions and you'll be rewarded."

The win saw Nashville climb to sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with 16 points, five places and four points clear of Chicago.

Data debrief: Nashville in good company

A fast start did the trick for Nashville on Saturday as they raced into a five-goal lead by half-time.

Only six teams had previously accomplished that feat in an MLS game, with the Philadelphia Union doing so most recently in 2022, versus D.C.

This was the 13th instance of a team scoring seven in an MLS match, with only the LA Galaxy (8-1 versus Dallas in 1998) ever going one better.