Cummings goal steers Rapids to MLS playoff win

Colorado Rapids eliminated the Columbus Crew in their MLS wildcard play-off on Thursday with a 1-0 win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

It is the second season in succession that Colorado have eliminated Columbus in the first round of the play-offs, after their penalty triumph following the two legs of their Eastern Conference semi-final last season.

A goal from forward Omar Cummings late in the first half was enough for the Rapids, with the Jamaican firing home after a slick cut-back from fullback Kosuke Kimura.

The Crew chased the match in the second half, with Andres Mendoza wriggling free at the top of the box in the early going before slamming his shot off the crossbar.

But that was as close as they could come to finding the goal they needed, and Colorado hung on to secure their place in the Eastern Conference semi-final.

There they will meet Sporting Kansas City, with the first leg to be played on Sunday.