The end of the MLS regular season is in sight, as the league continues to play through the pandemic.

It’s been a particularly challenging campaign for rookies from college soccer aiming to make an impact in the North American league.

But at this stage of the season, no first-year player from a college program has made the same kind of impact that Daryl Dike has.

After two seasons at Virginia, the forward from Oklahoma signed a Generation adidas deal and was picked No. 5 overall by Orlando City.

Last night, Dike’s strong rookie season continued, as he scored a goal, added an assist and manhandled Atlanta United’s back line in a 4-1 win.

A strong and powerful forward, Dike’s physical prowess is easy to spot, as he’s listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. But he’s more than just a target man. Able to come deep to receive, he can also bully and run at defenders with the ball. His improving in tight spaces and is rapidly improving.

No more was that evident than in the sequence below. Despite being whistled for a foul at the end of the run – which was dubious at best – there was no stopping him on his run. His cross found Tesho Akindele despite the play already being whistled dead.

34': What a run from Dike, beating all the defenders down the field and laying it off for Tesho to finish, but the ref called Daryl for a foul to nullify the finish. #ORLvATL pic.twitter.com/qmaKcQnsD7

— Austin David (@AustinDavid22) October 29, 2020

What was most interesting in Dike’s involvement on Wednesday is how varied his involvement was. He attempted just 13 passes – completing all but one of them – and completed five dribbles. Part of his approach does put the ball at risk, as he lost the ball eight times during the game. But there’s little doubting that it’s effective. Wednesday wasn’t exactly his first notable performance. And for teams that did their homework in the 2020 draft would have noted that Dike improved significantly from his first to his second season at Virginia. Oscar Pareja has clearly put in the effort to help him improve.

He’s been the most impressive player from the 2019 college season during the 2020 MLS season. He now has six goals and four assists, and with his minutes on Wednesday, eclipsed the 1,000-minute mark in the season.

Is a call-up to the U.S. men’s national team next? That depends on the pandemic and the next friendly. MLS players involved in the playoffs may not get the nod for the November friendly in England. But Dike should be under strong consideration, given both the depth of the striker position and to get a sense if his ability in MLS can play up at the international level.

McKenzie making case for Young Player of the Year?

This week, MLS announced that it would ditch the Rookie of the Year and hand out a Young Player of the Year award.

Few teams have cultivated young American talent and relied on them quite like the Philadelphia Union. And even though Brenden Aaronson and his impending transfer to Austria are often central, Mark McKenzie has arguably been the better player for his team this season.

Even in the pandemic-shortened season, McKenzie has a career high in games (20), minutes (1,800) and even goals (he’s scored three).

That continued in mid-week action, as McKenzie anchored a 2-1 victory against the Chicago Fire. That puts the Union in pole position to secure the highest points total in the league this season. McKenzie’s won 70% of his defensive challenges this season, and completed passes at an 87% clip. His progress this season has put him in contention for the Young Player of the Year award this season. Although he may not win it, the defender’s progress has been one of the stories of 2020 in MLS.

Reynolds continues to flash promise for FC Dallas

Since signing his first pro contract in November 2016, Bryan Reynolds has been unable to find his footing at FC Dallas.

That’s changed this year. After Reggie Cannon was transferred to Portugal this summer, Reynolds – who was originally a forward at the FC Dallas Academy – has made the right back position his own.

In 14 appearances this season, Reynolds has played 1,043 minutes, far eclipsing the total of previous seasons. While at times he has looked very much like a forward still, looking to defender, Reynolds setup the game-winning goal for FC Dallas in a 2-1 victory against Inter Miami.

RB ➡️ LB ➡️ 🥅

🅱️ig 🅱️ad 🅱️ryan with the cross and Ryan Hollingshead with the finish. #DTID | #FCDvMIA pic.twitter.com/pw3xs0eXYQ

— FC Dallas (🅱️🅱️🅱️ Stans) (@FCDallas) October 29, 2020

Reynolds entered 2020 at the tail end of his contract, with his future in the air. He’s now accelerating his development, getting his feet wet and has signed a contract extension. Now, he’ll look to kick on and continue to hone his ability as a modern fullback.