St Lucia striker Donavan Phillip named man of the match in Colorado Rapids draw

Saint Lucian forward Donavan Phillip continued his fine run of form in Major League Soccer at the weekend, scoring for the Colorado Rapids and collecting his first man of the match award, although his side had to settle for a 1-1 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes in Commerce City. The story was first reported by St. Lucia Times.

As reported by St Lucia Times, the 21-year-old found the net in the 27th minute, becoming the youngest player in Rapids history to score in three consecutive matches. It was his fourth goal in five appearances for club and country, a striking return for a player still in the early stages of his professional career.

The goal itself came from a well-worked corner. After two openings had gone begging from open play, the strong-built youngster from the Marchand district of Castries rose highest from Paxten Aaronson's corner and guided a firm header in at the far post. It was exactly the kind of moment the Rapids signed him for.

San Jose levelled in the 57th minute. A free kick into the area was only half cleared and fell to Dave Romney, whose volley made its way through a crowded box and past goalkeeper Nico Hansen, taking a deflection off former England defender Rob Holding on the way in. With the scores level, Phillip was substituted shortly afterwards and the match finished without a winner.

Rapids coach Matt Wells was quick to highlight the contribution of his young Saint Lucian striker, who was named the HCA HealthONE Children's Hospital Man of the Match for the first time. Wells said Phillip could develop into an established leading player for the club, adding that a further level remained for him to reach and that the forward does not yet fully appreciate his own ability. He said he rates him highly both as a footballer and as a person.

For followers of football on the island, Phillip's rise adds a new chapter to a growing sporting story. Cricket has long dominated back home, with Daren Sammy's twin World Twenty20 titles as West Indies captain, the ground at Beausejour bearing his name and the Saint Lucia Kings flying the flag in the Caribbean Premier League each August. Football fans now have their own reason to tune in when fixtures involving the Rapids appear on screens across the Caribbean.

Phillip's emergence also matters for visitors who follow sport in Saint Lucia. His success in one of North America's top leagues raises the island's profile well beyond cricket, and gives fans planning holidays to St Lucia another talking point, whether they are watching a match at the Daren Sammy stadium in Gros Islet or following a fellow Saint Lucian from afar.

The island's sporting calendar is one of the things to do in St Lucia alongside its beaches, rainforest trails and the Pitons on the southerly Soufrière coast. Many visitors time their trip around fixtures or festivals, and the best time to visit St Lucia often depends on whether the priority is Carnival, cricket season or simply dry-season sunshine.

Reaching the island is straightforward, with direct flights to St Lucia from London landing at Hewanorra International Airport in the south, putting the Daren Sammy ground within easy reach. Accommodation options suit every budget, from large all-inclusive resorts in St Lucia and luxury hotels in St Lucia to self-catering villas in St Lucia and smaller boutique hotels in St Lucia for those after something more intimate.

Families often build a match day or beach day into longer family holidays in St Lucia, while couples celebrating a honeymoon in St Lucia frequently plan a walk between the Pitons or an afternoon exploring Castries, where Phillip first made his name in local football before moving abroad.

For now, the Rapids will regroup after dropping two points at home. Their next fixtures will show whether Phillip can extend his scoring streak further, and whether Wells's prediction that the young Saint Lucian has a higher level still to come continues to hold true.