TORONTO – The very first thing you notice about Bright Dike is his voice. It’s booming and baritone, rich and voluptuous.
It’s also full of unwavering confidence, which is somewhat surprising, considering everything he’s been through.
Acquired by Toronto FC in a trade with the Portland Timbers last September, Dike was one of the few bright spots in what was a fruitless 2013 Major League Soccer campaign by the Reds. Dike only scored one goal in seven appearances, but the Nigerian international forward won plaudits for his physical style and his ability to hold up the ball and bring teammates into the play.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Toronto FC vs. Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer action live on all four main Sportsnet channels. Coverage begins at 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT. | TV schedule
2014 was destined to be his year. Dike was going to represent Nigeria at the World Cup in Brazil, and he figured to feature prominently for Toronto FC in MLS. Instead, his life was turned upside down when he suffered a torn Achilles during a pre-season training session with TFC in February.
It was a devastating and cruel blow for Dike, 27, who twice suffered a torn ACL while a member of the Timbers.
Dike had been rehabbing and working out on his own for several months before recently returning to full-contact training with TFC. He completed his third major injury comeback when he played the final 12 minutes of last week’s 4-1 road loss to Sporting Kansas City.
“I’d been waiting for this for so long—just pushing every day with my fitness, just busting my butt. So it really feels good to finally be out there,” Dike said.
Toronto coach Ryan Nelsen was pleased with what he saw from Dike in Kansas City.
“For him, it was another little mental barrier more than anything to get out there and say he’s done it. Now we can obviously evolve and progress form there,” Nelsen said.
Dike knows he needs more playing time to get back to his “old self.” But he’s confident that’ll happen.
“There’s no better practice than in a game. That’s when everything comes to fruition. Everything is buzzing and you’re ready to go. The more and more time I’m getting I’m going to feel more comfortable,” Dike stated.
Did Dike ever think he wouldn’t be able to come back from the injury or consider calling it quits and walking away?
“Absolutely not. I love this game too much. When I got hurt, I didn’t even go home. [Ryan Nelsen] asked me if I wanted to go home and I told him I wanted to be here and get back in the training room as soon as possible. That was my mindset-just focusing on getting back,” Dike affirmed.
For a limited time get Sportsnet Magazine’s digital edition free for 60 days. Visit AppStore.com/RogersMagazines to see what you’re missing out on.
Although born in Oklahoma, Dike made his international debut for Nigeria in a friendly against Venezuela in November, 2012. Late last year, he scored his first goal for the Super Eagles in a friendly against Italy at Fulham’s Craven Cottage. He is eligible to play for the African nation because both of his parents were born in Nigeria.
Dike was on Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi’s radar, and he was expected to be named to the Super Eagle’s 23-man roster for this summer’s World Cup. Not being able to go to Brazil was the toughest part of his latest injury setback.
“To know that you’re that close and to have the Nigerian coach tell you that he was actually going to use you—not only bring you to the World Cup but actually use you at the World Cup—that’s something that sticks in your mind and pushes you to push yourself and go beyond whatever level you’re at,” Dike explained.
“I’m itching to hopefully get another shot at [the World Cup] in four years.”
Having gone through rehab before made it easier this time around for him.
“I knew exactly what to expect, what to work on beforehand, how to make things easier on my body. What to work on, what my body was going to need when I came back,” Dike said.
The product of Notre Dame later added: “For me physically, [the rehab] wasn’t really painful; it was just having to sit out and watch the team, and not being able to do something I love. That for me was the hardest part.”
