When you speak to Osaze Urhoghide, you’re met with a kind and tranquil presence, often accompanied by a shy smile. His English accent is almost stereotypically polite and soft-spoken.
When you watch Urhoghide on the field, you’re met with something entirely different.
“People have told me, ‘Off the field, you're a nice guy, you're pretty calm, but then in the games your face changes,'" the Netherlands-born but England-raised defender said on the FC Dallas Agenda podcast. "The game is war, really. And I want to be very fierce in the game and show people what I am. I'm very aggressive. And it is like stepping into a different person when I go into the games. It's different to who I am outside.”
Urhoghide’s second persona was on display in FC Dallas’ 4-3 come-from-behind win over Inter Miami CF last Sunday. The 24-year-old scored Dallas’ second goal, the first of three in a 16-minute span to earn the club’s largest comeback victory since 2011.
With Dallas trailing 3-1 in the 65th minute, Urhoghide lined up in Miami’s box hoping to get on the end of Lucho Acosta’s ensuing free kick. He was closely marked by Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón, as he’d been all game in set-piece scenarios. Their ongoing physical battle had drawn the ire of the referee a handful of times already. This time, though, Urhoghide won outright.
After exchanging a few two-hand shoves, Urhoghide won the header only to see the ball rebound back to him off Falcón. Without missing a beat, he hammered a volley into the ground – through Falcón – and into the back of the net. Before wheeling away in celebration, Urhoghide turned back to Falcón shouting and gesturing to make sure the Uruguayan knew he’d just lost a battle of wills.
The mental and physical battles, including those taunts and gestures, are a far cry from the mild-mannered young man that is Urhoghide off the field. But, once the whistle blows, he relishes them.
“I like to be physical,” Urhoghide explained. “And with players like him, Falcón, he's very physical. I knew that from watching clips. He gave me a bit of stick and he was pushing me around from our corner. I think because I was so hyped up I was able to react quickly when it bounced back and I was able to score. I do like a little battle in the games as well. It's not been the first time, (battles happened) in Minnesota and Atlanta as well where I've gone against the other center backs, but I enjoy it. I enjoy the battle, it's war during the game.”
Urhoghide doesn’t just bring a warrior mentality to FC Dallas’ backline. He brings immense quality, too. Since signing for the club late this offseason, Urhoghide has played every minute and quickly staked his claim as one of MLS’s top center backs. Per the stats site FBref, Urhoghide is in the 89th percentile for aerial challenges won, the 85th percentile in tackles won, 92nd percentile for tackles won in the defensive third, 74th percentile in blocked shots, and 77th percentile in clearances (all stats per 90 minutes).
“Osaze has brought more than I ever thought anyone could bring,” said Dallas head coach Eric Quill. “He’s not just a natural talent, he’s got technique, he’s got mentality, he’s an amazing teammate and humble. His numbers physically are something I’ve never seen from the center back position (Urhoghide has reached 21.1 MPH this season, fourth highest on the team). He’s been a breath of fresh air for this organization and he leads by example which is powerful for our locker room. He has a big future ahead of him, he hasn’t reached his ceiling yet which is scary to think about. I’ve been amazed each week watching him play.”
Despite that glowing report, Urhoghide isn’t satisfied. At just 24 years old and with only 109 senior games under his belt, there’s plenty of room to grow and potential to be realized. With his understated personality off the field and his killer instincts on it, there are few limits to what Urhoghide can achieve.
“I want to continue to grow in my range of passing, add different kinds of passing, and continue to grow in the game,” he said. “Because the game is a lot about problem solving, so improving my football IQ, so when I see things I can inform my teammates or just change how we're playing without instructions from the coaches – because sometimes we can't hear the coaches. It's about improving your knowledge of the game and trying to play smarter and grow the understanding of the game.”
