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Striker keys win as new formation pays dividends for Rapids

By Pat Rooney, Special to the Rocky

Published May 15, 2008 at 9:30 p.m.

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Rapids defenseman Ugo Ihemelu heads away the ball as he contends with the leg of Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman.

Photo by David Zalubowski / Associated Press

Rapids defenseman Ugo Ihemelu heads away the ball as he contends with the leg of Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman.

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Switching to a two-forward formation, which Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo did about two weeks ago, has allowed Omar Cummings to do what he does best - charge the goal and put the ball in the net.

That is what the 25-year old Jamaican striker did Thursday, scoring in the 65th minute to help the Rapids to a 2-0 victory against regional rival Real Salt Lake at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Midfielder Christian Gomez added a goal on a penalty kick in the 83rd minute as the Rapids (4-4) took sole possession of first place in the Western Conference.

"Sometimes (Cummings) doesn't see the ball in our half and he tries to get out of the box and gets into situations that he isn't comfortable with," Clavijo said.

"A target player, a goal-scorer, needs to be there. He needs to be able to see a run at people.

"We told (Cummings), 'Don't lose your patience. Keep going. Keep being there. Stay central.' When he starts running at people, he's dangerous. He has good speed and he's very difficult to track down."

After a scoreless first half, Cummings sliced down the middle of the box and one-touched a perfect crossing pass from Fort Collins native Colin Clark, deflecting the ball off the outstretched leg of Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando.

It was the team-leading third goal of the season for Cummings, who has scored goals in consecutive games.

The Rapids, who improved to 3-1 at home, received an insurance goal late after a handball call against Real Salt Lake led to a penalty kick for Gomez, who converted his second goal of the season.

The 2006 MLS Most Valuable Player has collected one goal and three assists in the past three games since the Rapids altered formations, a move made in part to take better advantage of Gomez's playmaking skills.

"It's easy when you have good forwards who can score goals - you just put it in the box and they will put it away," Clark said. "We didn't do so well (at home) last year, but we have started well this year. We've just got to continue to build, especially with the two games at home coming up in the following two weeks. There is a long way to go, but it's nice to be up there (in first place)."

NATIONAL TEAM GAME: Tickets for the U.S. women's national team match against Brazil on July 13 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. Tickets will be available at the stadium box office, Dick's Sporting Goods stores or by calling 866-461-6556.

Tickets also will be available at USSoccer.com.

Rapids 2, Real Salt Lake 0

Real Salt Lake0 0 - 0

Rapids0 2 - 2

Goals - Colo, Cummings (Clark, H. Gomez), 65th minute; Colo, C. Gomez (penalty kick), 83rd minute.

Shots on goal - RSL, 3-1-4; Colo, 3-3-6. Saves - RSL (Rimando 4); Colo (Coundoul 3). A - 11,414.

MLS STANDINGS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

W L T Pts. GF GA

Columbus 6 1 0 18 14 9

Chicago 5 1 1 16 13 3

New England 4 3 1 13 10 11

New York 3 1 2 11 8 5

Toronto FC 3 2 1 10 8 9

Kansas City 3 3 1 10 8 9

D.C. United 2 5 0 6 9 14

WESTERN CONFERENCE

W L T Pts. GF GA

COLORADO 4 4 0 12 13 9

FC Dallas 2 2 3 9 9 7

Los Angeles 2 3 2 8 14 15

Real Salt Lake 2 4 2 8 11 14

Houston 1 2 4 7 7 10

CD Chivas USA 1 4 2 5 10 15

San Jose 1 4 1 4 4 8

NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie.

THURSDAY'S SCORE

Colorado 2, Real Salt Lake 0

SATURDAY'S GAMES

Columbus at Toronto FC, 2 p.m.

Kansas City at New York, 5:30 p.m.

San Jose at New England, 5:30 p.m.

Houston at Chicago, 6:30 p.m.

D.C. United at CD Chivas USA, 8:30 p.m.