A hat trick evaded Kirovksi only by the width of the post. He stormed into the box to control a bouncing ball and lashed a left-footed shot that beat keeper Matt Reis but struck the upright.
The victory improved the Rapids' record to 6-9-6 and with 24 points, they are two behind No. 8 Columbus. Eastern Conference leader New England, which came into the match with the best away record (5-2-2) in MLS, was outshot, 17-5, and aside from a looping Taylor Twellman header in the second half seldom mustered a serious threat.
Clark rounded two defenders before shooting into the side netting, and forced a good save from Reis after another powerful run.
Both teams lost players to injuries midway through the first half and Steve Ralston sat out the game because of the flu.
Rapids defender Dan Gargan fell heavily at midfield and was replaced by former U.S. international Tony Sanneh, whose status had been in limbo the past month. Colorado traded a conditional draft pick to Chicago to get him. Adam Cristman replaced the Revs' Pat Noonan, who limped off gingerly after apparently going to the turf without being touched.
New England's road swing continues Sunday in Kansas City. Colorado has 10 days off before hosting the Galaxy Aug; 26 in what could be David Beckham's Galavision debut.
Aug. 16 in Commerce City, Colo.
Colorado 3 New England 0.
Goals: Kirovski 10, Kirovski (pen.) 41, Cummings (Clark) 76
Colorado -- Coundoul, Gargan (Sanneh, 23), Erpen, Petke, Prideaux, Ballouchy (Cummings 58), Mastroeni , Clark (Peterson, 87), Cook, Casey, Kirovski
New England -- Reis, John, Parkhurst, Heaps, Smith, Joseph, Larentowicz (Flood 87), Thompson (Riley 46), Dorman, Noonan (Cristman 26), Twellman
Yellow cards: Colorado - none; New England -- Smith 36, Joseph 42, Prideaux 71, Sanneh 92+.
Referee: Jorge Gonzalez
Att.: 10,677.
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