Conor Doyle Ready To Have Impactful Fall Season for Puerto Rico FC

In last Saturday’s win against Jacksonville, Puerto Rico FC’s attacking midfielder Conor Doyle tied for the team lead in goals with his third of the season. The former Derby County FC and D.C. United player is the only one that has played in every game this season, and has done so as a forward, attacking midfielder, and defensive midfielder.

“I enjoy the role I have been given the past couple of weeks," Doyle said. "Attacking mid is my preferred position, but obviously I just enjoy playing anywhere on the field.”

The McKinney, Texas, native now joins Pito Ramos and Jairo Puerto as the top goalscorers for the club in the 2017 season with three goals each; a year in which eleven players have scored so far for Puerto Rico.  

“Coming in as an attacking player our intention is to go out on the field to get goals and lead the team," Doyle said. "We’ve spread the goals around this year and the fact that not one person has run away with it is pretty good. Scoring goals for us really has been a team effort.”

As a midfielder, Doyle sometimes finds himself providing support all over the field. He is currently ranked fourth in the team in interceptions with 23 and fifth in clearances with 27. His defensive efforts were in full display on July 12 when Puerto Rico visited Jacksonville for a midweek game. Doyle was tasked with stopping one of the NASL’s most dangerous offensive weapons, Zach Steinberger. In this game, the Armada FC’s star created zero chances and his only shot came after Doyle was subbed out.

“I just want to win," Doyle said. "It was a frustrating Spring Season so the entire team, not just me, felt like we had to do anything to win. I enjoy having the ball and we have started playing a style that allows us to keep the ball, but the will to win makes us do whatever we have to on the field.”

With a good start to the Fall Season, Doyle is sure the team will be a threat to every club in the NASL. The adversity of the Spring has given them a new appreciation for each other in the locker room.

“Now with the two results to start the fall we are more confident and we have come together as a team," he said. "We are fighting for each other and have each others' backs. It’s definitely falling into place now.”