Is this what the USMNT was crying out for at the World Cup? American youngster Daryl Dike provides assist and scores winner for English tier 2 team West Brom within 18 minutes of entering the field
American youngster Daryl Dike has started to make his case to be the USA’s No. 9 after turning his domestic team’s game on its head Monday night.
The USMNT lacked a clinical striker as they crashed out of the World Cup at the last-16 stage to Holland in Qatar.
Gregg Berhalter’s team was eventually outclassed by the Dutch in the knockouts but performances from the young group has given fans renewed hope for future tournaments.
American Daryl Dike (right) scored the winner for English tier 2 side West Brom Monday night
His goal came just moments after providing the assist for Tom Rogic (No. 7) to equalize
And 22-year-old Dike, who has already scored three goals in eight international caps, has wasted no time in showing why he should be considered going forward.
He scored his first goal for English tier 2 team West Brom to seal all three points, after providing the assist for the equalizer moments earlier.
The Baggies were trailing 1-0 when Dike entered the field on 64′. Within six minutes of his introduction the striker teed up midfielder Tom Rogic to tie the game.
Dike was all smiles after being influential off the bench in West Brom’s victory over Sunderland
Dike showed composure to hold off the challenge and lay the ball to the edge of the box for Rogic to hit.
Twelve minutes later it was Dike who found the back of the net. The forward got in between the pair of Sunderland center halves to meet a teasing delivery from wide right.
Dike rose high and headed the ball down into the ground past goalkeeper Anthony Patterson to complete the turnaround and secure a 2-1 win.
Dike, from Edmond, Oklahoma, got hurt in the opening game of the season in July as he tore a thigh muscle and only returned to action just before the World Cup.
US soccer fans were delighted to see striker Dike make his mark off the substitutes’ bench
He made the transfer from Orlando in the MLS to the second tier of English football in the January transfer window but his impact has been limited after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury last term.
Dike’s career has been hampered by injuries but US soccer fans were delighted to see him make his mark this week.
‘Still our best chance of having a legitimate top class #9,’ one wrote on Twitter.
Another added: ‘He’s that guy man….. he’s the 9 we need,’ while one more said: ‘I hope he progresses and takes over that 9 spot!’
One fan believed Dike could have made a difference for the USA at the showpiece event this winter, writing: ‘A fully fit Dike at the World Cup would have been huge.’
Former USA forward Taylor Twellman shared a clip of Dike’s goal with the caption: ‘Welcome back @DarylDike.’
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