COMMERCE CITY, Colo.—Omar Cummings told himself to get into the right position. The Colorado Rapids are glad he listened to himself.
Cummings scored a goal in the 65th minute and Christian Gomez added a late goal on a penalty kick to lead the Rapids to a 2-0 victory against Real Salt Lake on Thursday.
The Rapids (4-4-0) had lost three of their previous four games but improved to 3-1 at home. With the victory and the three points, Colorado broke a tie with FC Dallas to move into sole possession of first-place in the Western Conference.
In a defensive match that featured few scoring chances, Cummings was able to provide the winning goal off a crossing pass from midfielder Colin Clark during a Rapids rush midway through the second half
“Coach said we had to come out with more energy, and we definitely did that,” Cummings said. “It was simple, really. The ball went right to Colin, and immediately I was like, Get in the box because I knew he was going to serve it early. Sure enough, that’s what he did.”
Clark began the scoring play by sending a cross into the box from the left wing. Cummings, charging down the center of the field, was able to strike the ball in full stride, deflecting it into the net off the outstretched leg of Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
It was the team-leading third goal of the season for Cummings, who also has scored goals in consecutive games.
Gomez, the 2006 MLS Most Valuable Player acquired in an offseason trade with DC United, scored his penalty kick goal in the 83rd minute. Gomez has recorded one goal and three assists in the past three games.
Real Salt Lake has lost all four of its road matches and fell to 2-4-2 overall.
