Bright Dike
Encyclopedia
Chinedu "Bright" Dike is an American
soccer player who currently plays for Portland Timbers
of Major League Soccer
.
, and played college soccer
at the University of Notre Dame
from 2005 to 2009, redshirting his junior season in 2007. As a senior he started all 21 games for the Irish, led the team in goals (12) and total points (29), and was named to the all-Big East Championship team.
During his college years Dike also played one season with the Indiana Invaders
in the USL Premier Development League
.
by Columbus Crew
. However, after training with the club all preseason, he did not make the squad and was released. On April 7, 2010, Dike signed a one year contract with Portland Timbers
. He made his professional debut on April 22, 2010 in a game against AC St. Louis
.
Dike recorded his first professional hat trick
by scoring three goals in a June 22, 2010 U.S. Open Cup
match vs. the Kitsap Pumas
. During the 2010 USSF D2 Pro League season Dike appeared in 23 matches for Portland in which he scored 10 goals.
On October 19, 2010 Dike was named as one of the first four players to be signed by the Portland Timbers
ahead of their expansion into Major League Soccer
in 2011, along with Steve Cronin
, Ryan Pore
and Eddie Johnson
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who currently plays for Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
College and Amateur
Dike attended Edmond North High SchoolEdmond North High School
Edmond North High School is located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The school colors are silver, white and navy. The school's mascot is the Siberian Husky....
, and played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
from 2005 to 2009, redshirting his junior season in 2007. As a senior he started all 21 games for the Irish, led the team in goals (12) and total points (29), and was named to the all-Big East Championship team.
During his college years Dike also played one season with the Indiana Invaders
Indiana Invaders
Indiana Invaders is an American soccer team based in South Bend, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
.
Professional
Dike was drafted in the first round (12th overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft2010 MLS SuperDraft
The 2010 MLS SuperDraft was the eleventh annual SuperDraft presented by Major League Soccer. It was held on January 14, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the 2010 NSCAA Convention. The 2010 SuperDraft consisted of four rounds with sixteen selections each, for a total of 64 players...
by Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
. However, after training with the club all preseason, he did not make the squad and was released. On April 7, 2010, Dike signed a one year contract with Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
. He made his professional debut on April 22, 2010 in a game against AC St. Louis
AC St. Louis
Athletic Club of St. Louis, commonly referred to as AC St. Louis, was an American professional soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in December 2009, the team played its first and only season the next year in the NASL Conference of the temporary USSF D2 Pro League, the...
.
Dike recorded his first professional hat trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
by scoring three goals in a June 22, 2010 U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
match vs. the Kitsap Pumas
Kitsap Pumas
Kitsap Pumas is an American soccer team based in Bremerton, Washington, United States. Founded in 2008, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.Kitsap are the reigning PDL champions,...
. During the 2010 USSF D2 Pro League season Dike appeared in 23 matches for Portland in which he scored 10 goals.
On October 19, 2010 Dike was named as one of the first four players to be signed by the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
ahead of their expansion into Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
in 2011, along with Steve Cronin
Steve Cronin
Steve Michael Cronin is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United of Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:Cronin played college soccer at Santa Clara University from 2001 to 2003...
, Ryan Pore
Ryan Pore
Ryan Pore is an American soccer player who is currently without a club.-Youth and College:Pore attended Madison Comprehensive High School, and played college soccer at the University of Tulsa, where in 2004 he was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy, twice named first team All-American, and the top...
and Eddie Johnson
Eddie Johnson (English footballer)
Edward William "Eddie" Johnson is an English footballer who currently plays for Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer. He is a midfielder but has also played as a striker and has represented his country at under-20 level....
.