After World Cup goal, Finn Surman is still Portland's, for now
New Zealand lost, but finding the back of the net in the World Cup was "stuff that dreams are made of."
VANCOUVER, B.C. — Finn Surman wasn’t thinking about scoring when he arrived at the first World Cup of his career.
He’s a rookie here. He’s a defender. That’s not his job, nor the expectation.
But after it happened — after Surman out-jumped Egypt’s defenders to get his head on a ball and direct it into the net in the 15th minute of New Zealand’s match against the Pharaohs — scoring wasn’t really on his mind, either.
It’s not that the moment wasn’t impressive or triumphant or one of the most unexpected of this World Cup so far: a 22-year-old Kiwi who hasn’t scored in three MLS seasons putting his home country up 1-0.
“It was an amazing feeling,” Surman eventually conceded in the mixed media zone. “I think that’s the sort of stuff that dreams are made of.”
But the 3-1 loss wasn’t part of Surman’s dream. Nor did it have to happen.
Egypt may have been favored. Egypt may have put the likes of Mo Salah against Surman and the Kiwis’ backline. But for half the match, New Zealand didn’t just match Egypt. It was better.
Surman’s goal held until the 58th minute, and the Portland Timbers defender’s play didn’t look much different than it does on Saturdays at Providence Park. When Egypt pressured, Surman was there to repel it. He had three blocks and three clearances, and when he denied Mostafa Ziko from inside the penalty area in the 54th minute, New Zealand’s lead remained intact.
Back in Portland, Timbers fans were simultaneously celebrating Surman’s performance and mourning the possibility that they may not have him much longer — savoring these moments when he’s Portland’s, New Zealand’s and nobody else’s.
New Zealand conceded the lead in the 58th minute, then fell behind when Salah put Egypt up 2-1 nine minutes later. But the result did nothing to make Surman’s future look any less rosy.
Still, the loss stung.
As Egypt’s coach and players paraded around with a flag following the country’s first World Cup win, Surman remained hunched over in exhaustion and disappointment until an Egyptian player walked over, patted him on the back and lifted him upright.
This was a game to be proud of, the gesture seemed to indicate.
And while the professional in Surman was already looking ahead to Belgium and figuring out how New Zealand (0-1-1, 1 point) can still find enough points to advance from Group G, this is still the World Cup.
Surman understands that.
Just because he’s acted far beyond his years since making his Portland debut as a 20-year-old on the road in Seattle three years ago doesn’t mean he’ll pretend he’s above admitting that, yeah, scoring a goal in the World Cup was pretty cool.
Timbers jerseys were in the stands. Timbers employees were in the stands.
His parents were there.
“I hope they remember that,” Surman said. “And that they’re proud.”
— Tyson Alger, The I-5 Corridor
Photos by Tyson Alger