KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - Sporting Kansas City retook the lead in the crowded MLS Eastern Conference race, beating the Columbus Crew 2-1 Wednesday night on an own goal by defender Julius James.
Kei Kamara scored on a first-half penalty kick for Sporting (11-9-11), which broke a two-match winless streak. Kansas City has 44 points, two ahead of Houston and three ahead of the Crew.
Columbus (11-12-8) lost its third straight and is 0-5-1 in its last six matches.
The own goal came in the 74th minute, when James headed a Kansas City throw-in back and over keeper Will Hesmer.
Kamara put Kansas City up 1-0 in the 15th minute after Chad Marshall brought down C.J. Sapong in the penalty area.
Emilio Renteria equalized for the Crew in the 34th, scoring on an assist from Robbie Rogers.
Fire 3, Real Salt Lake 0
SANDY, UTAH (AP) - Marco Pappa scored three goals to lift the Chicago Fire to a rare road victory with a defeat of Real Salt Lake.
A record setting crowd of 20,762 at Rio Tinto Stadium watched as Pappa brought Chicago (7-8-15) only its second road win of the season. The loss spoiled the return of midfielder Javier Morales, who entered the match as a sub in the 60th minute. It was the first action for Morales since suffering a gruesome ankle injury in May.
Things turned sour for Salt Lake (15-9-6) in a matter of a couple minutes early in the first half.
Pappa scored in the 9th, 36th and 75th minutes.