COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Omar Cummings scored in the 65th minute and Christian Gomez added a goal on a penalty kick in the Colorado Rapids' 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Thursday night in Major League Soccer.

The Rapids (4-4-0) improved to 3-1 at home and broke a tie with FC Dallas for the top spot in the Western Conference.

Midfielder Colin Clark helped open the scoring, 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 goalkeeper Nick Rimando's leg for his team-leading third goal of the season.

Gomez, the 2006 MLS Most Valuable Player acquired in an offseason trade with D.C. United, scored on a penalty kick in the 83rd minute.

Real Salt Lake dropped to 2-4-2.