ORLANDO, Fla. — The U.S. men’s national soccer team will take on El Salvador in CONCACAF Nations League Group D play at 7:30 p.m. Monday, marking a homecoming for Daryl Dike.

The former Orlando City Lions striker is back for a match at Exploria Stadium, not in purple on Monday night but with the USA crest, for the first time since he signed to compete in pro soccer in Europe. The U.S., which leads Group D with seven points, can secure a spot in June’s semifinal with a draw.

“You work your entire life, training every single day, doing all these things and watching soccer, absorbing the game — for it all to come to this moment,” Dike said.

He had to miss the World Cup last year because of an injury but is looking forward to playing in the USA kit in Orlando.

“You still get the same feeling,” Dike said. “I don’t think it will ever go away. Especially ‘cause I haven’t been back for a while, so putting it on again, I know it’s gonna be a great feeling. Even just putting on the training kit, you get excited.”

Missing games because of recent injuries has been difficult for him.

“You’re seeing everyone play. You’re seeing your club people play, your international teammates play, and you’re in a gym,” Dike said. “And I think that’s mentally hard sometimes ‘cause as a competitor you always wanna be playing. You always wanna be involved.

“It may not look like it, but I don’t like being in the gym. I’d rather be outside kicking the ball and doing things, but you know there’s an end goal. I think, from a young age, you always wanna play in World Cups. You always wanna represent a country in the World Cup, and for me, how close I was at the time, it was a big hit. But for me, it was always nice fuel because while I’m a player, of course, I’m still a fan.”

Since he left Orlando City to sign with West Bromwich Albion of the English Football League Championship on Jan. 1, 2022, he has made 21 appearances with that club.

He said one thing he enjoys about his career is situations change rapidly.

“Thinking back to when I was in Orlando, it feels like it was forever ago,” Dike said. “Obviously, it’s something that’s a big piece of mine and something that I enjoy about the career that I’m in — that things are always changing. … One moment I’m in Charlottesville (in college at Virginia) or Orlando or Barnsley (an EFL Championship team to which Orlando had loaned him) or West Brom. Been playing with the national team as well. I just love it. Everything moves so quickly. Before you blink your eyes, you’re on to the next step.”

What he remembers most about his time with Orlando City is the sense of community.

“Even within the team, everyone was so close,” Dike said. “We had barbecues together. We went out together. Fans are always involved. They always wanna see everybody. We had the first playoffs, and fans were always behind us, so I think it’s the community feeling.”

Dike said he’s happy to play at Exploria again.

“It’s a great feeling, full circle,” he said. “My first cap was at Exploria. Hopefully, this next one is gonna be at Exploria as well. It’s a great feeling. Obviously, it/s a great stadium in front of great fans, so it’s just full circle.”