Colorado Rapids forward Kevin Doyle (9) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the second half at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in 2015. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
Colorado Rapids striker Kevin Doyle and midfielder Marco Pappa have been called in for national team duty for their respective countries.
Doyle is expected to join the Republic of Ireland national team after the Rapids’ March 20 match at D.C. United.
“Just got my e-mail to say ‘you’re in the squad,'” Doyle said Tuesday. “If I go, I’ll speak to them when I get there.”
Ireland has a friendlies against Switzerland on March 25 and against Slovakia on March 29. Both games will be played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.
Pappa will join up with the Guatemalan national team for World Cup qualifying matches against the United States. The March 25 match will be played in Guatemala City and the March 29 game will be held in MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, home of MLS’ Columbus Crew.
“It’s going to be a big game, really important game. It’s qualifying and we need those points,” Pappa said. “Of course, U.S. is one of the favorites in CONCACAF. That’s the beautiful part of the game, we’re going to compete.”
Because the dates fall within the FIFA window, Pappa and Doyle are not expected to miss any matches with the Rapids. After taking on D.C. United on March 20, Colorado’s next match is at home against Toronto FC on April 2.
Marco Pappa, Colorado Rapids midfielder. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)
