Colorado Rapids midfielder Lucas Pittinari, (22), right, and Real Salt Lake midfielder Luke Mulholland fight for the ball during an MLS soccer match, in Commerce City, Colo., Sunday Oct. 4, 2015. Real Salt Lake won 2-1. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
The Associated Press
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) - Joao Plata and Luke Mulholland scored 10 minutes apart in the first half and Real Salt Lake beat Colorado 2-1 on Sunday night to eliminate the Rapids from the playoff race.
The Rapids (8-12-10) struck first. Kevin Doyle headed a long cross from Sean St. Ledger in the 16th minute, snapping a shot from 15-yards out that found its way into the far corner.
Real Salt Lake (10-12-8) struck back in the 33rd minute when Plata bent a free kick over the Colorado wall and just under the crossbar.
Juan Manuel Martinez' shot in the 43rd minute was headed away by Colorado, but Mulholland headed the ball to his feet and one-timed a crisp shot from the top of the penalty area that found the far corner.
RSL is three points out of the final playoff spot with three games remaining.
Real Salt Lake forward Sebastian Jaime (23), right, collides with Colorado Rapids defender Sean St. Ledger in the first half of an MLS soccer match, in Commerce City, Colo., Sunday Oct. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids midfielder Lucas Pittinari, (22), left, tries to avoid getting tripped up by Real Salt Lake midfielder Javier Morales during an MLS soccer match, in Commerce City, Colo., Sunday Oct. 4, 2015. Real Salt Lake won 2-1. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
The Associated Press
Real Salt Lake forward Sebastian Jaime pulls away from Colorado Rapids defender Sean St. Ledger in the first half of an MLS soccer match, in Commerce City, Colo., Sunday Oct. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
The Associated Press
Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando (18) keeps watch as his teammates try to defend against an onslaught by the Colorado Rapids in the first half of an MLS soccer match, in Commerce City, Colo., Sunday Oct. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids forward Vicente Sanchez (7), right, collides with Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman in the first half of an MLS soccer match, in Commerce City, Colo., Sunday Oct. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
The Associated Press
Real Salt Lake forward Juan Martinez (22), left, and Colorado Rapids defender Bobby Burling (23) tangle in the first half of an MLS soccer match in Commerce City, Colo., Sunday Oct. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids forward Vicente Sanchez (7) controls the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match with Real Salt Lake, in Commerce City, Colo., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
The Associated Press