Nominees for the Colorado Rapids HealthONE Player of the Month are here! Be sure to vote for the player you think is most deserving of the honors following the month of July. The winner will be announced on Friday, August 4.
Marlon Hairston has been a difference maker in midfield over the past month. His brace against Houston Dynamo sealed a crucial home win for the Rapids on July 1 and earned him HealthONE Man of the Match. Three days later, Hairston delivered the helper on Dominique Badji’s goal in the match against Seattle Sounders FC. In all, Hairston started four matches out of four, creating eight chances, and completing 85 percent of his passes.
Dominique Badji continued his breakout season in the month of July. He started off the month delivering three assists in the Rapids' win over Houston Dynamo. On July 4 against the Seattle Sounders, the striker tapped home a cross from Hairston cutting the Sounders lead in half. Badji's second goal of the month and sixth of the season came in the 76th minute of the Rapids’ 1-1 draw with Toronto FC. Overall, Badji played 359 minutes, had a 75 percent shooting accuracy, and converted on 50 percent of his chances.
The third nominee for the July POTM is Kevin Doyle. The Irishman started in all four matches this month and provided his usual physical hold-up play and aerial dominance in those appearances. He snatched his fourth goal of the season, while adding an assist on Hairston's second goal in the Rapids’ 3-1 win over Houston Dynamo. In addition, Doyle won 16 battles and had 24 positive defensive actions (tackles won, duels won, blocks, interceptions, clearances).
