COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Whether it’s “luck”, “suerte” or the “rub of the green” as striker Kevin Doyle calls it, the Colorado Rapids have been lacking it; they're winless in six games since the Doyle debuted in a 1-0 win over Vancouver back in May.
Luck may or may not have had a hand in the Rapids’ recent string of results, but the team’s newest and most prominent Designated Player isn’t making any excuses.
“We need to win games. It’s as simple as that,” Doyle told MLSsoccer.com. “Some of our performances have been good, some of them bad. The good ones we haven’t capitalized on and we need to do that.”
Since the arrival of Doyle and Argentine striker Luis Solignac, the Rapids’ offense has struggled at times, producing only five shots in last Saturday's 2-0 loss against Sporting KC and three goals in their past seven regular season matches. The pair has yet to mark a goal for Colorado.
“I only know one world and it’s that there’s nothing good in life that doesn’t come with time,” Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni said, explaining that the adjustment phase has been “equivalent” to having a full preseason with the team.
“Coming in like they did, the ideas here were further along. They were coming from two teams and leagues that play a different style and it takes time to get to know your teammates and their tendencies,” he added. “We’re at a good place now where we’re doing right to get in front of goal. I just look forward to them hitting the back of the net, not only to give themselves confidence but to bring confidence to the rest of the group”
“We need to just believe in ourselves,” said Doyle. “It’s about doing the job on the pitch and we just need to do it.”
In his 14th year of playing professionally, Doyle’s outward confidence hasn’t shown any cracks as he continues to seek his first MLS goal.
“You need to forget about the game before and move onto the next game and the next game you need to win. If you start looking back and looking over results you’re just going to drag your confidence down,” he said. “You need to keep your confidence. You need to keep focused. Everyone’s confidence needs to rise to take chances, to win games and to keep clean sheets. All of us need to buy into that and we are.”
But some of the Irishman’s new experiences in MLS make him still feel like almost a rookie at times.
“We’ve had three delayed games now. The last road trip we were on was probably the longest I’ve ever had,” Doyle acknowledged. “But I’m getting used to it. It’s become normal.”
In addition to new experiences, the 31-year-old was also able to draw confidence from the Rapids’ most recent US Open Cup outing against Houston, a game in which he put forth his first 90 minute performance in a Rapids uniform.
“I played as a No. 9 for the first time so that was nice. I’m happy to play wherever but that is my more natural position and where I’ve played most of my career. Moving forward I think I’ll play at the No. 9,” he said. “My body felt good afterwards so I should be able to play 90 minutes at home.”
Doyle will likely get the call at the No. 9 position again when the Rapids take on Vancouver this Saturday (9 pm ET, TSN/MLS LIVE), and despite the drawbacks, the DP remains ready and focused for continued challenges ahead.
“It’s good to see these things. Different things that I haven’t seen before,” he explained. “It’s been an eye opener and hopefully I can start playing longer, play well, get goals and win games.”
