Mullan's blast keys Rapids' win over Crew

Brian Mullan hasn't had much to celebrate individually this season, but that all changed in a big way Friday night.

While Mullan's tackle that broke Steve Zakuani's leg will likely remain his defining moment of the season, his long-range goal against the Columbus Crew was the defining moment of the match, unlocking a scoreless game and lifting the Colorado Rapids to a 2-0 victory at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

After a Colorado piece of possession, Mullan found himself facing the goal with loads of space after Columbus failed to close in on him. He took his chance and caught it all, rifling a blast into the upper left-hand corner of the goal from about 30 yards out in the 54th minute.

Omar Cummings added an insurance goal in the 79th minute, taking a pass from Sanna Nyassi on a counterattack and hitting a first-time shot from the right past Crew goalkeeper Will Hesmer to ice the game.

Defending MLS Cup champion Colorado (9-6-10, 37 points) improved to 3-0-1 since losing striker Conor Casey for the season to injury and trails Seattle by just one point for the Western Conference's third automatic playoff berth, although the Sounders have two games in hand.

Columbus (9-7-7, 34 points), whose best chance to score was an Andres Mendoza shot from inside the area that was saved by Matt Pickens in the 74th minute, fell in its first game since claiming sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference.

Highlights from the match can be seen here.

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What did you think of the match? Did you think Mullan had that ability in him? Can you see the Rapids continuing to contend without Casey?

Share your thoughts below.