Kansas City, Sept 29: Sporting Kansas City reclaimed Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference lead after Columbus defender Julius James conceded an own goal in the Crew's 2-1 loss Wednesday.
In the other match, Marco Pappa scored three goals to lift the Chicago Fire to a rare road victory with a 3-0 win at Real Salt Lake.
Kei Kamara of Sierra Leone converted a penalty in the 15th minute to open the scoring for Sporting after Chad Marshall brought down C.J. Sapong in the area.
Kansas City now has 44 points, two ahead of Houston and three ahead of the Crew.
Columbus lost its third straight and fifth from its last six matches.
Emilio Renteria equalized for the Crew in the 34th minute after gathering a Robbie Rogers pass.
The own goal came in the 74th minute when James headed a Kansas City throw-in back and over keeper Will Hesmer.
A record setting crowd of 20,762 at Sandy, Utah watched as Pappa scored in the 9th, 36th and 75th minutes to give Chicago only its second away win of the season.
The loss spoiled the return of midfielder Javier Morales, who entered the match as a substitute in the 60th minute. It was the first match for Morales since suffering a gruesome ankle injury in May. AP
