Sporting Kansas City have missed the chance to close in on top spot in the Eastern Conference after being beaten 3-1 by the New England Revolution.

The visitors took the lead in the ninth minute when Soony Saad leaped highest in the area to nod in a free kick, after Andrew Farrell had given away a foul in a dangerous position.

Their lead lasted until the stroke of half time as Teal Bunbury turned in a low pass from Jermaine Jones at point-blank range to level the match moments before the break.

New England edged their noses in front three minutes into the second period when Lee Nguyen rifled a shot into the top corner from outside the box, with Kelyn Rowe supplying the assist.

Saad was inches away from levelling the scores just before the hour mark, but his curled effort from the edge of the box drifted just past the post.

It was the Revolution who finished the stronger of the two sides, with Andy Gruenebaum being forced to deny Patrick Mullins when the midfielder was gifted space at the edge of the box.

The victory was completed in the fourth minute of stoppage when Nguyen helped himself to his second of the night by finding the bottom corner from just outside the area.