West Brom and USA striker Daryl Dike ‘heating up’ amid return to former hunting ground
West Brom striker Daryl Dike is “heating up” ahead of his return to former hunting ground Orlando, according to the official USA website.
Dike spent two years at Major League Soccer club Orlando City before his venture in England, with the striker scoring 19 goals from his 41 matches.
He is now back in Orlando after his call-up to the USA national team, with the country currently training in the city in Florida ahead of their Concacaf Nations League matches against Grenada and El Salvador.
“Set to return to Orlando this week, striker Daryl Dike struck hit home a highlight reel goal,” as quoted by the official USA website.
“Only hours after he was recalled to the U.S. Men’s National Team for this week’s Concacaf Nations League matches, Dike found the back of the net in West Bromwich Albion’s 1-1 draw with host Cardiff City in the English Championship on Wednesday, March 15. Dike volleyed home Jed Wallace’s cross past goalkeeper Ryan Allsop from close range for the first goal of the match in the 17th minute.
“Dike, who has seven goals in 19 league matches this campaign, has been heating up recently. He bagged a brace in a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Feb. 25 and connected for the game-winner in a 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic on March 7.”
Bang in form
West Brom striker Dike has hit form right in time, with the USA national team currently sitting second in their group, having defeated Grenada 5-0 at home in their opening game before a 1-1 draw away to El Salvador, with both matches having taken place last June.
The USA impressed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, drawing with Wales and England in their group before a 1-0 victory against Iran ensured a place in the last 16, where they lost 3-1 to the Netherlands.
And 22-year-old Dike is just one of a number of young talents within the squad looking to showcase their talents ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the USA will host alongside Canada and Mexico.
Dike will undoubtedly feel at home at the training camp in Orlando, with the nation’s match against El Salvador taking place in the city at Exploria Stadium, giving the striker a nice boost ahead of a potential appearance.
If any extra motivation is needed, Dike was in line for his USA debut back in November 2020 against El Salvador, but he did not feature due to injury.
In other West Brom news, another Albion talent has earned an international call up after shining for his club in recent matches.