Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic Site
Open Search
Men's Soccer
. Men's Soccer

Hoos in Pro Soccer: Dike Starts for USMNT, Bell Captains New Zealand

Cavaliers in Pro Soccer List
Virginia USMNT History
Virginia Twitter
Virginia Instagram
Virginia Facebook
Get the UVA Sports App

Stay up to date on former Cavaliers currently competing in the pro ranks for their clubs and countries. A full list of former Cavaliers in professional soccer can also be found at VirginiaSports.com.

Daryl Dike – Forward

USMNT – No. 23
Dike was called back to the U.S. Men’s National team on March 15 for two Concacaf Nations League games at the end of the month.

  • The striker made an appearance as a substitute in the 57th minute of a 7-1 victory over Grenada (March 24)
  • In a return to his former home at Exploria Stadium during his time with Orlando City S.C., Dike cracked the starting eleven to earn his tenth cap for USMNT (March 27)
  • Dike is the eighth most-capped player for USMNT in Virginia history

West Bromwich Albion – No. 12
Dike hit an impressive run of form in the weeks leading up to his call up to the U.S. Men’s National Team scoring four goals in five appearances for West Brom including a first-half brace in a win over Middlesboro.

  • Leads the Baggies in goals with seven in EFL Championship
  • Recorded his first brace of the season against Middlesboro (Feb. 25)
  • Scored four goals in five games ahead of March 24 international break
  • After returning to the first team, West Brom won seven out of eight matches in which Dike appeared to climb out of last place and into contention for playoff positions
  • West Brom sits at ninth in the EFL Championship and five points off the playoff positions for promotion to the English Premier League

Joe Bell – Midfielder

New Zealand National Team – No. 6
Bell returned to international soccer for New Zealand for the first time since falling to Costa Rica in June to miss out on World Cup qualification. New Zealand played a pair of matches against China. The first resulting in a 0-0 draw and the second in a 2-1 victory.

  • Bell made an appearance in the 57th minute in a 0-0 draw with China (March 23)
  • Started as captain for the New Zealand team for the first time in his career in a 2-1 win over China (March 25)
  • Bell has been capped for New Zealand 14 times
  • Scored his first goal for New Zealand in a 5-0 win over the Solomon Islands in world cup qualifying last season

Brøndby IF (Superliga) – No. 6
A mainstay in the Brøndby IF side, Bell has helped lead his side into sixth place in the Superliga, the top tier of Danish soccer with a total of 32 points.

  • Bell has made 14 appearances in the midfield while making 10 starts
  • Brøndby IF are currently sixth in the Superliga and sit 12 points off the european qualification places

Henry Kessler – Defender

New England Revolution – No. 4
After a thrilling game-winning goal at the death in New England’s season-opener at Charlotte FC, Kessler has been a mainstay for the Revs starting all five games thus far. He has helped guide the team to four wins out of its first five sitting atop the Eastern Conference with 12 points.

  • Scored New England’s first goal of the season netting a late winner against Charlotte FC (Feb. 25)
  • Started all of New England’s five matches this season, playing the full 90 minutes in each
  • Helped guide the Revs to three clean sheets in five matches
  • Named to MLS Team of the Matchday following a 1-0 win over Nashville SC (March 18)
  • The Revolution are currently top of the Eastern Conference and second in the Supporters’ Shield Standings

Derrick Etienne – Midfielder

Haiti National Team – No. 10
Etienne returned to international duty for Haiti in Concacaf Nations League competition for a pair of matches with Montserrat and Bermuda.

  • Etienne started in a 4-0 victory over Montserrat in which he recorded a goal and an assist
  • Made an appearance as a substitute in the 46th minute in a 3-1 victory over Bermuda.

Atlanta United – No. 18
Though Etienne is yet to make his first start for Atlanta United, the midfielder has logged important minutes in four appearances this season. Etienne made the move to Atlanta United ahead of the 2023 campaign following a three-year stint with Columbus Crew. Etienne netted nine goals and six assists in MLS last season.

  • Appeared in four matches this season as a substitute recording 102 minutes
  • Recorded two set up two goals on the season including an assist in a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC
  • Atlanta United is currently third in the Eastern Conference and sixth in the supporters’ shield standings on 10 points

Related Stories