KEVIN DOYLE’S FIRST season in Major League Soccer didn’t exactly go according to plan.
His Colorado Rapids side finished bottom of the Western Conference and second-last overall. The team couldn’t score goals (just 33 from 34 games) and struggled throughout the campaign.
But, seemingly revitalised, this term could not have started any better.
From their first ten games, they’ve won six and drawn two and currently lead the way in the West and in the overall MLS standings.
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They’re still not too prolific in front of goal but coach Pablo Mastroeni has worked wonders with the defence and the eight goals they’ve shipped so far is the joint second-best tally in the league.
Doyle has missed a large part of the campaign because of the leg injury he sustained while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland in March but he has scored once and teed up Jermaine Jones for a game-winning goal against Real Salt Lake at the weekend.
Jones, a stand-out performer for the United States during the 2014 World Cup and who was with Bundesliga side Schalke for seven seasons, has been immense since making his long-awaited debut for the Rapids last month.
In four appearances, the 34-year-old has managed three goals and two assists while Colorado are still unbeaten while he’s been on the pitch.
Things seem set to get even better for the club too as veteran goalkeeper Tim Howard will join once the Premier League season wraps up.
There’s plenty of football still to be played but it’s already a remarkable turnaround for a franchise that seemed dead and buried just a few short months ago.
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How Kevin Doyle's Colorado are 'doing a Leicester' in Major League Soccer
KEVIN DOYLE’S FIRST season in Major League Soccer didn’t exactly go according to plan.
His Colorado Rapids side finished bottom of the Western Conference and second-last overall. The team couldn’t score goals (just 33 from 34 games) and struggled throughout the campaign.
But, seemingly revitalised, this term could not have started any better.
From their first ten games, they’ve won six and drawn two and currently lead the way in the West and in the overall MLS standings.
They’re still not too prolific in front of goal but coach Pablo Mastroeni has worked wonders with the defence and the eight goals they’ve shipped so far is the joint second-best tally in the league.
Doyle has missed a large part of the campaign because of the leg injury he sustained while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland in March but he has scored once and teed up Jermaine Jones for a game-winning goal against Real Salt Lake at the weekend.
Jones, a stand-out performer for the United States during the 2014 World Cup and who was with Bundesliga side Schalke for seven seasons, has been immense since making his long-awaited debut for the Rapids last month.
In four appearances, the 34-year-old has managed three goals and two assists while Colorado are still unbeaten while he’s been on the pitch.
Things seem set to get even better for the club too as veteran goalkeeper Tim Howard will join once the Premier League season wraps up.
There’s plenty of football still to be played but it’s already a remarkable turnaround for a franchise that seemed dead and buried just a few short months ago.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
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Colorado Rapids jermaine jones Kevin Doyle Major League Soccer MLS turnaround