ORLANDO, Fla. -- It’s been a meteoric rise for Daryl Dike’s professional career.
Just three years ago, he was being selected fifth overall in the MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City, getting ready to start his professional career. Now, at just 22 years old, he’s considered one of the top young players in the U.S. Men’s National Team pool while hitting a good form in the English Championship with his new club, West Bromwich Albion.
On Monday night, Dike got the opportunity to start for the U.S. against El Salvador in his old home of Exploria Stadium, completing a full-circle moment for the striker.
“It means a lot,” Dike said of his return to Orlando after the game. “This place is a place that gave me the first chance. The fans were always welcoming me, and then after making a difficult decision, seeing everyone's still supporting me -- no matter what -- is everything and coming back to the stadium that’s still supporting me.
"One of the big reasons I loved it here was because of the fans.”
Although it’s only been two years since he left the City Beautiful, Dike has seen himself grow in his game, becoming a more complete player, having gotten another opportunity with USMNT after making his debut in Orlando back in January of 2021.
“Thinking back to when I first started playing in Orlando versus where I am now, I think I have grown so much as a player -- just naturally from experience, of course, but from all the different situations I've been in,” Dike said.
“Whether it be at Barnsley, West Brom, different managers, the national team -- there's been definitely tons of different systems, different tactics, and different teachings I've learned that have made me the player I am. And obviously, Orlando City and MLS was the foundation for all of that.”
That foundation started that rookie season, in the midst of the Covid pandemic restart when Dike got his first start for Orlando against Inter Miami CF. Wearing No. 18, he scored his first professional goal in the 18th minute, starting an eight-goal campaign through a shortened MLS season.
Following a loan spell in Barnsley in the English Championship, Dike returned to Orlando eight games into the season, once again stepping up and delivering a double-digit goal season.
Since 2022, Dike has been playing once again in England, scoring seven goal in 19 appearances for West Brom this season.
Even with all the success the striker from Edmond, Oklahoma still remembers the lessons from his old team and head coach Oscar Pareja.
“Oscar was someone who taught me about being more of a complete footballer,” Dike said. “That's what he always kind of told me is how to be more than just being a big body, how to find things tactically, how to improve my technique, movement in the box and everything. It's something that's carried on into the Championship, especially on the physical part.”
The forward continues to keep up with the Lions, watching highlights and keeping in contact with players and coaches
“I try my best to watch the games, but they come on at like 1 or 2 in the morning, but I watch highlights and hope they keep going strong.”
