KEVIN DOYLE’S PROLIFIC run of form continued last night as the Ireland striker scored the winner in Colorado Rapids’ 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas.
The 31-year-old has now scored four goals in Major League Soccer this campaign, inspiring Colorado to a three-game winning streak which has seen them move off the foot of the Western Conference.
With former Ireland international Sean St Ledger now in defence, the Rapids have won six of their last nine league outings but were made to work for the points last night.
Dominic Dwyer gave Sporting Kansas the lead shortly after the interval in Denver but the hosts were soon level as former Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa scored his first goal for the club.
With time running out, Doyle proved to be the match-winner once again as he rose highest to head home Vincente Sanchez’s floated cross.
While Doyle will steal the headlines, his compatriot has made a big impression since joining the club last month.
St Ledger was released by Orlando City for a ‘serious breach of club policy’ but has put his head down since arriving in Denver and has established himself as an integral part of Colorado’s plans.
“St Ledger is a gregarious guy, but takes his craft seriously,” Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni said after the game. “He’s a good guy to be around, and I think the guys respect the way he goes about his business.
“The performances have spoken for themselves.”
It wasn’t such a good night for Robbie Keane and LA Galaxy, however.
The Western Conference leaders suffered a 1-0 defeat to San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday despite Steven Gerrard, Giovani dos Santos and Keane all starting.
Shea Salinas broke the deadlock for the home side after just 18 minutes and Galaxy’s chances of staging a second-half comeback were hampered by the sending-off of Brazilian defender Leonardo.
Despite the result, they remain at the summit of the standings – one point clear of the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Meanwhile, New York City’s struggles continued as they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Columbus Crew.
Frank Lampard returned to the team, alongside Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, after missing last week’s hammering to LA Galaxy but was unable to prevent his side slumping to a second consecutive reversal.
