Don’t feel bad, Henry Kessler. It happens to everyone sooner or later.
The inevitable Daryl Dike was at it again on Saturday night, putting his former college teammate on skates before slamming a thunderclap past Matt Turner to equalize for Orlando City in Foxborough. While the Lions ultimately came up short, it was in no part due to the efforts of Dike, who was voted Heineken Man of the Match by the fans for his performance.
In what’s become something of a signature move for Dike, the big striker received a perfect pass from white-hot playmaker Mauricio Pereyra and took it slightly wide to the right. He then lowered his shoulder and viciously turned Kessler, who was hopeless to stay with the powerful Dike. The Orlando striker then wrapped his cannon of a right foot around the ball and overwhelmed a well-positioned Turner, who could do nothing to keep it out despite his reputation as one of the top shot stoppers in the league.
Dike wasn’t done. With Orlando trailing 2-1 late in the second half, Dike received a pass in the penalty area. His mere presence appeared to spook New England center back Andrew Farrell, a veteran of 266 MLS games, into a clumsy challenge that conceded a penalty. Turner would end up saving Nani’s penalty kick to preserve the three points for the Revs, but it was Dike once again making a major impact in the opposing 18-yard box.
Dike was aggressive off the ball throughout the night, winning half of his team-high 22 duels, including 5-for-9 in the air. The forward won a team-high four fouls and even added a tackle defensively.
