Daryl Dike made his goalscoring reappearance for West Bromwich Albion in their 4-1 win over Aldershot Town in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday. The American found a rebound at the edge of the keeper's box and didn’t think twice before sending a bullet into the opposing keeper’s net to practically seal the eventual home victory.
He's back
After 9 months out, @DarylDike turns it in for @WBA... and look what it means #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/2ZiEE21K6g— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 7, 2024
This was the American’s first goal since April of last year and his reaction says it all.
Daryl Dike = Back #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/kaCvZGIAnu
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 8, 2024
This goal comes after a serious Achilles tendon injury and surgery suffered at the end of the last campaign, a rehabilitation period that kept him out the the squad sheets for almost nine months.
Before picking up the injury, Dike had been one of West Brom’s best players in the 2022-23 EFL Championship. The USMNT player had scored seven goals and provided one assist in just 1,201 minutes across 23 games — a goal contribution every 150 minutes.
The 23-year-old arrived at The Albion in 2022 after a wonderful pair of seasons in MLS with Orlando City and the EFL Championship with Barnsley, but his recurring injuries — setbacks that have seen him miss over 79 games with West Bromwich in under two years — haven’t allowed Dike to have consistent performances or goals.
Going into what will be an important year for the USMNT in their participation at the Copa América this summer, the former University of Virginia striker will be looking to find consistency and his goalscoring mojo to squeeze himself onto Gregg Berhalter’s striker radar.
Let’s hope this goal is the start of that.
