AMSTERDAM — One could excuse Derby County forward Conor Doyle for feeling like he's been through a whirlwind. One also should be impressed that the 18-year-old American landed amid the tempest in time to find his feet in Saturday's Championship match against Cardiff City.
Having trained with the Rams a year earlier, Doyle arrived at Pride Park in July expecting to get some good training ahead of starting a scholarship at Creighton University in the fall. Instead, he won over Derby manager Nigel Clough, signed a two-year deal on Aug. 6 and dressed for the season opener the next day.
"I came over here for a trial, and in my mind, it was two weeks and back to college," Doyle told MLSsoccer.com. "It's been a rush, these last four to five weeks. Going from where I was to playing the game Saturday, it's just unbelievable."
On 70 minutes, Doyle was sent into a 1-1 game that the hosts would eventually lose. He admits his biggest task is to adapt to the speed of play, but gave himself a passing grade for the league debut.
"I felt like I was fine," said the Texas native. "It really helps having been here a while and training with them to get used to it. I felt like I was on pace for the 20 minutes I was in there."
As the son of former Major Indoor Soccer League goal monster David Doyle, the striker was mentally prepared well for Saturday's call to the midfield stripe.
"It helps a lot having him around to talk to about stuff like that," he stated. "Just from growing up over here and having that European mindset and playing professionally, it really helps."
With the Rams currently missing three of their top forwards to injury, Doyle is probably enjoying some pitch time a little sooner than he normally would have. The clear understanding is that Clough would prefer not to rush this prospect any further.
"We talked about how this year's going to go for me, and how it will be a character development-type thing," shared Doyle. "I'll play a lot for the reserves and also sometimes with the first team. When you have injuries to the players we do, it always opens up opportunities for other players."
The youngster is also making a slight adjustment on the field. Accustomed to playing as a target man, Doyle now finds himself running off the lead striker.
"Right now, in the formation we're playing, I'm playing in behind there, behind that kind of forward," he informed. "I'm facing the goal more."
Important to making this switch, he understands his own limitations.
"I am not pacy," admitted Doyle. "I like to keep it simple, play quickly, keep the ball and try anything out of my realm."
With some help from his mother, the teenager has daily life just about sorted out. Doyle talks very calmly about adapting to his new home across the ocean, always seeming well prepared.
"It's coming along quite well," he stated. "I am almost settled in. My mom just left, she was helping me out with all this stuff. I got a car and I'll have an apartment soon, just looking for place to live. I should be out of this hotel next week and I'll be completely settled in."
Once that happens, he can focus solely on growing his game and becoming a Pride Park ace. So what's the best advice Dad gave him to succeed at Derby?
"Stay confident," recited Doyle. "If you do mess up, don't get too down on yourself. Go out and fix it next time."
