Is Daryl Dike cursed? West Brom striker's latest injury confirms his status as the USMNT's unluckiest player

He's only 23, but this isn't Dike's first setback. Unfortunately, these types of roadblocks have popped up all too often in his young career.

Dike burst onto the professional scene in 2020 with Orlando City as a shining rookie out of the University of Virginia. Drafted fifth overall that January, Dike didn't make his debut until July, but it didn't take him long to become a star in MLS.

In his first season, he scored eight goals, while in his second, he netted 11, despite missing the first half of the campaign to score nine goals while on loan at Barnsley. After just two professional seasons, West Brom came calling in 2022, and paid $9.5 million (£7m) to bring Dike to the Championship.

His time at The Hawthorns, though, has been dominated by the injury bug. A hamstring problem ruled him out of much of his first half-season back in England before, in April 2023, he suffered a horrible Achilles injury in his right leg, knocking him out of action until January 2024.

It seemed that Dike knew right away that his latest setback was serious. This wasn't a tweak or a knock; this was something that felt all too familiar.

The injury came in the 65th minute of West Brom's match against Ipswich Town. Dike had been introduced just 10 minutes earlier. With the score level at 1-1, West Brom needed a spark; instead, they got a gut punch.

Dike hobbled off the pitch with the assistance of two team officials between then being carted off with his head in his hands. It took less than 24 hours for West Brom to confirm the inevitable: Just one month after returning from a horrible Achilles injury, Dike's road to recovery begins again, this time on the opposite side.

West Brom's statement came out midday in the U.S., confirming what everyone feared: "Albion can confirm Daryl Dike will be out until the end of 2024 after suffering an Achilles tendon injury at Ipswich Town on Saturday. A rupture of the USA international’s left Achilles will require surgery, followed by a period of rehabilitation. The club will provide Daryl with all the care and support he needs to return to full fitness later this year."

Those outside of the club had feared the worst, and that was what they got. Dike signed for West Brom 773 days ago and, as of Tuesday, he'll now have been battling an injury for 416 of those days, with a whole lot more ahead as his rehab begins.

It's hard to fathom what's going through Dike's head. As a player, it's awful, another year away from the game. But as a person? What a happiness-destroyer this must be. Having worked so hard to get back, Dike has had it all taken away from him once again.

In a statement released on Monday, Dike admitted that this is all very difficult. Mentally, it's already taking its toll. In a vulnerable moment, the striker admitted that he's been brought to tears during this process.

But those tears haven't all been sadness. Some, instead, have been thankful tears as he's realized the support he has around him.

"I have been trying to wrap my head around the situation and I honestly still can't, nor do I think I will be able to for a while," he said in that statement. "One thing I quickly realized, however, is how blessed I am to have so many supporters around me. The amount of messages, videos and comments that I have received has been unbelievable. I see them all. I genuinely do not even know how to thank you all. The things that I have seen have filled my heart and my spirits so much.

"I have been brought to tears numerous times. As many of you know, I have been injured multiple times and it has made it easy for me to think negatively. Luckily, this support has pushed many positive thoughts back in. No matter how many times I get knocked down, I will keep getting back up."

If you want to know how appreciated Dike is in the West Brom locker room, just look at the messages that have come out since his injury.

It would be easy for West Brom's players to be frustrated. Dike is supposed to be a key part of their team, and losing him directly impacts the team's promotion hopes. As things stand, they sit fifth in the Championship and are very much in a dogfight for a playoff spot. The messages, though, have been from the heart.

"As a group of players, we would like to thank the fans who have sent messages of support to Daryl," said captain Jed Wallace. "We have a very tight-knit dressing room this season and although it was a really good point on Saturday against a really strong team, the mood of the boys is disappointment for a loved member of our squad.

"We have all seen how hard he has worked the last nine months to get back to playing the game he loves. This is a family club and everyone within will support Daryl physically and mentally over the coming period. Thank you again. We all look forward to sharing the pitch with Daryl in the future."

Wallace's statement was only one of several in an outpouring of support from Dike's West Brom teammates.

"Football is cruel sometimes - your strength and determination has been inspiring and just like last time, you will overcome this setback," said midfielder Okay Yokuslu. "We are all with you every step of the way. Looking forward to seeing you back on the pitch, doing what you do best!"

Added Brandon Thomas-Asante: “Honestly speaking, even three points wouldn’t have been able to compensate for what my brother went through yesterday. All I can say is I love you brother, and me and the boys feel convicted to go through this with you together (not with a token Instagram post, but with presence, counsel and support) to see you back to the world-beater that you are. More than just teammates, can’t wait to see you shine again soon with that superhero-esque celebration man. God bless brother, may he strengthen your heart.”

What will make all of this even more frustrating? The fact that Dike looked ready to make a real push to force himself back into the USMNT.

The striker race is ever-changing. Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi are at the top of the pile, but there are several contenders for other roster spots. Josh Sargent and Haji Wright are making waves in the Championship, while Duncan McGuire and Jesus Ferreira have a chance to do the same in MLS. And don't write off Brandon Vazquez, who has had a strong start to life in Liga MX.

Dike, though, was in the race too. His skillset is unique to the pool, making him an interesting option, particularly as an impact substitute. With his physicality, Dike can change a game in different ways than the clinical Pepi and pacey Balogun.

With the Copa America looming, Dike would have been an option for Gregg Berhalter to consider. Even if he hadn't made the final squad, he could have been involved at the Olympics, perhaps, as an overage player. The Nations League was also a possibility, as the U.S. will go for another title in March.

Now, Dike will miss out on a massive year for the national team and will instead turn his focus toward 2025, giving him just a year-and-a-half to make his World Cup case.

The road back will be long, frustrating and exhausting, and Dike will know that better than anyone. He won't just have to build himself back physically, but mentally as well. He made just five appearances after recovering from his latest Achilles tear. By the time he returns from this one, it'll have been nearly two years since we saw a fully fit and confident Dike.

The hope is that, at some point, he'll get the injury-free run he deserves. When healthy, Dike has proven to be a legitimate force in the Championship. The key now, the hope, is that someday his health will win out.

Until then, the grind continues. And Dike knows he'll have plenty of support as he once again starts a road to recovery.

"I've done it before and I will do it again," he said in his social media statement. "At the end of the day, all I want to do is play football and be happy again. I know I will and I won't stop working until my dreams come true. No words can be expressed to explain my appreciation towards you all. When the success comes (and it will come), we will all be ready to celebrate together."