COMMERCE CITY — Kevin Doyle returned to action for the first time in more than a month Thursday night to score twice and the Rapids claimed the best record in Major League Soccer with two games remaining in the regular season, beating a desperate San Jose Earthquakes team 2-1.
Having missed four games with an ankle injury, Doyle scored on a brilliant diving header in the 38th minute. Clinging to playoff hopes, San Jose equalized with a penalty kick in the 57th minute, but Doyle tallied the game-winner on a penalty kick 16 minutes later.
With three points for the win, the Rapids (15-5-12) now have 57 points, leapfrogging FC Dallas (56) into first place in the Western Conference.