Dike scores first USMNT goal in 4-0 win over Costa Rica
Orlando City star Daryl Dike soared in his third cap for the U.S. men’s national team on Wednesday, scoring the first international goal of his career in a 4-0 friendly win over Costa Rica.
Dike was eager to earn minutes on the pitch for the Americans after being called up for the June international window only to be left off the roster for the Concacaf Nations League tournament. The 20-year-old striker started in the team’s final match of the international window on Wednesday, putting in an active, energetic shift.
“For me it was just another sign for me to just continue to improve,” Dike said. “I think today, getting the opportunity to start and get more minutes, it was a great feeling to be included. For all the work I’ve put together with the group over these past weeks, it’s great to go out there and get a win and get my first goal as well.”
After his first on-target shot was blocked for Brendan Aaronson to punch in the opening goal of the game, Dike found his chance to score in the 42nd minute. The striker burned the Costa Rican back line on a welltimed run, slipping into open space to collect a pass from Marc McKenzie.
Dike buried his one-onone chance against the keeper, notching his name into the scoreline for the U.S. men’s national team for the first time.
Fresh off the celebration of beating Mexico to win the Nations League, the Americans enjoyed a dominant win over Costa Rica capped off by second-half goals from Reggie Cannon and Gio Reyna.
The future is once again uncertain for Dike as he returns from international duty. The striker spent the last four months on loan to Barnsley, where he scored nine goals in 22 appearances to lift the Tykes into the promotional playoffs.
Barnsley did not exercise their option-to-buy clause — priced at $20 million for 80% of Dike’s rights — at the end of his loan, returning him fully to the purview of Orlando City.
Fans are eager to see the striker back in purple for their next match on June 19. The star returned to Orlando on Thursday, but he might not remain in Orlando all that long. The Lions already turned down a $10 million offer for Dike from a Big Six Premier League team.
The English transfer window opened on Wednesday, and Orlando City CEO Alex Leitão previously pinned the summer transfer
window as a potential target for the club to close a deal for the striker.
The Lions remain set on a $20 million price tag. As Dike’s stock continues to rise in England and throughout Europe, the front office said the club will make the transfer if and when that price is met.
“We believe in his potential,” Leitão said. “We understand that players, especially in that age, have this desire to go to Europe and play for top-tier leagues. I think Daryl has that opportunity; he proved himself to have the opportunity and we will help him to accomplish his potential and his desire.”
Dike was a low-cost, high-reward investment for the Lions — he was drafted fifth overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft process, selecting him fifth overall, then netted eight goals in 22 matches as a rookie.
Dike previously said he’s eager to get back to competing — whether that’s in Orlando, England or elsewhere.
“In terms of thinking of what’s next, I do what I’ve always done,” Dike said. “I’ve always taken things step by step and let the things that might be out of my control happen behind the scenes and work on what I can control.”
The Lions play Toronto on June 19 before returning for their first full capacity home match at Exploria Stadium on June 22 against the San Jose Earthquakes.