Sidelined Daryl Dike determined to be part of USMNT’s World Cup push in January

It has been four months since Orlando City striker Daryl Dike was named on a US Men’s National Team roster, but the Nigerian-American told ESPN he is determined to be in the World Cup qualifiers squad come January.

Since the helping the US to Gold Cup victory, often hampered by injury, the forward has been left out of all subsequent squads as the USMNT negotiated World Cup qualifiers in October and November.

The latest squad for the upcoming Dec. 18 friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, composed mainly of MLS-based players, was named last week, sans Dike again despite his form in the 2021 season.

The intention, according to coach Gregg Berhalter, is to keep these players fit as they go into the offseason, ahead of the Qatar qualifiers in January.

Berhalter addressed the 21-year-old’s absence: “He’s beat up. He needs recovery.

“The most important thing at this time for Daryl is to get rest and recovery that he can focus on coming back in January and building himself up again.”

– Predict results in ESPN’s Soccer Playoff Pick ‘Em!
– ESPN+ viewers’ guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more
– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
– Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access

Dike, who had been enjoying a purple patch before the season ended for Orlando in late November, expressed his disappointment but said was ready for the fight to win his spot back before January.

He told ESPN: “Of course, I want to be in every single camp and every single game, but at the same time, having coming off recent knocks with the shoulder, with the tendinitis, with other things, I think maybe it could have been for the better that I did not go [to those camps].

“But I always want to be included. And for me, it’s how can I get into the next game? How can I get into the next roster? And yeah, of course, it’s disappointing not to go but at the same time, it’s just more fuel for me to push myself to where it’s a no brainer to bring me to every single match.”

play

USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter…