'I can still achieve those dreams' - After scoring long-awaited goal, West Brom's Daryl Dike sets sights on USMNT return as he puts injury struggles behind him

Daryl Dike has not given up his dream of representing the U.S. men's national team in a World Cup as the striker set his sights high after scoring a long-awaited goal for West Brom this past weekend.

Dike's goal came in the Baggies' final match of the Championship season, a win over Luton Town, his first in nearly a year and a half. He'd spent most of that time with yet another Achilles injury, the latest in a long line of injury setbacks to impact him since his arrival at the club in 2022. Dike only returned to the field in February after a year out, and the 24-year-old striker was clearly overcome with emotion as the ball hit the back of the net.

With that goal behind him, Dike can now head into the summer on a high as he looks to be fit and ready for what's to come. Notably, the striker is out to prove he can reclaim a place with the USMNT and finally put his injury hell behind him.

“I’m a football fan,” Dike said, per the Athletic. “Everyone in the squad knows I’ll watch every game, I’ll know every player. I’ll always watch, so I have dreams in football. Whether that’s playing in the Champions League, or playing at the World Cup.

“I always tell myself that I’m only 24, so I can achieve every one of those dreams. I tell myself that, even though I’ve fallen down, I can get back up. I can still keep going, I can still keep running, and I still have the chance to prove myself and prove to everyone I can still do it and achieve those dreams.”

He added: “That’s one of my goals. Every single player has always dreamt of playing at a World Cup. I’d love to be part of that squad. Any time you’re able to represent your country, it’s a big honor, especially on a big stage like that. Of course, I’ll be working towards that, all off-season, all season, to be able to be a part of that.”

Dike went on to speak about the emotional toll his injuries took on him over the last several years. In total, he missed 129 games over his first four seasons with the Baggies.

“You are always going to end up feeling sorry for yourself," he said. "The first time it happened, I was very upset, naturally, but I was like ‘OK, I’ll be alright.’ But the second time I was like, ‘I worked all the way to get back…and now it’s happened again.’ I’ve got to work again. That was definitely a low point, because I was so excited to be playing again. So for it to happen again, and for me to think, ‘OK, this is just the kind of condition I’m in until I’m done playing…’ You’re thinking, ‘Is it going to happen again? Am I going to be the same?’

“But with my support group and the goals in the back of my head, I knew I’d bounce back. With training sessions like the past few months, and games like today, I can push a few of those doubts away and show I can still do it and be confident in myself.“

In terms of the USMNT, Dike faces a big fight to get back into the picture, particularly with the wealth of options at the striker position. Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Josh Sargent headline the European contingent, while Mauricio Pochettino has also leaned on Patrick Agyemang, Brian White, and Brandon Vazquez as MLS-based options.

Dike earned 10 caps for the USMNT between 2021 and 2023, scoring three goals, including a brace against Martinique at the 2021 Gold Cup.

West Brom finsihed ninth in the Championship this season, narrowly missing out on a chance to play in the promotion playoff. The club will remain in England's second division next season with Dike, hopefully, helping to lead the line.