HE DIDN’T SCORE but Kevin Doyle enjoyed a solid MLS debut for the Colorado Rapids last night.
Hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, the Rapids were desperately trying to rack up a first win on home soil since July of last year.
Having arrived in the city earlier in the week, the Irish attacker, who made the switch from Wolves, spent the build-up to Saturday’s game shaking off jet-lag and getting acclimatised – the Rapids’ stadium has the highest altitude in the league and is located 5201 feet above sea level – more than a little different from Molineux.
Ultimately, Doyle wasn’t included from the start and watched from the bench as his new side took a 51st-minute lead when Lucas Pittinari found the net after a superb no-look flick from Gabriel Torres teed him up.
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Doyle was introduced shortly after the hour-mark though didn’t manage a shot on goal in his 27 minutes on the field. He did pick up a yellow card late on, however.
Afterwards, he seemed happy with his cameo and the three points were a nice bonus for him and his new employers.
“It’s been a long week, a lot of new things to take in,” he said.
“It was nice to win. I needed that. I needed to get involved and get that chesty feeling out.”
