Just when it seemed like everything was going Toronto FC’s way, something bad appears to have happened to put a bit of a damper on their off-season rebuilding project.
Goal.com is reporting that TFC forward Bright Dike tore his Achilles tendon during a team training session Monday in Florida.
Dike tweeted this out on Monday afternoon:
Worst day of my life
— Bright Dike (@bbright19) February 17, 2014
The extent of the injury is not known, but it could keep the 27-year-old American-born Nigerian international out for a large part of the 2014 Major League Soccer season, and could rule him out for this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Dike has one goal in two appearances for Nigeria, having scored in a 2-2 draw against Italy in a friendly last November in London. Last week, he was selected by Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi for a friendly against Mexico on March 5, and was considered to have a shot at being named to the Nigerian squad for the World Cup.
This is not the first major injury that Dike has suffered in his career. He tore his Achilles during the 2011 MLS pre-season while a member of the Portland Timbers—he returned to action later that year.
He also tore his ACL during the 2013 pre-season with Portland, and was sidelined until September. He returned to action later that month after being traded to TFC. Dike showed plenty of promise in the few appearances he made for Toronto in 2013. Last month, Dike told Sporstnet his knee problems were behind him, and he promised to show his full potential in 2014.
“This is the best I’ve felt in a long time. I’m really excited about this year because I feel great, I’m playing well,” Dike said. “My mobility is good, I had a good off-season to work on some things, so I’ll surprise a lot of people this year.”
“Fans only kinda saw me play last year but not when I’m 100 per cent and ready to go. The best is yet to come.”
This is the first piece of bad luck for TFC during an amazing off-season that has seen the club undergo an amazing metamorphosis by signing Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley and Gilberto to designated player contracts.
The Reds have also brought in Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar, former captain Dwayne De Rosario, and number of other MLS-experienced veterans, such as defender Justin Morrow and midfielder Jackson.
Even though Dike was behind the likes of Defoe and Gilberto on TFC’s forward depth chart, he was expected to be the first choice off the bench for coach Ryan Nelsen.
Toronto FC did not immediately respond to Sportsnet’s request for comment.
