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Two early goals from Sporting KC would be enough for the away side as they knocked off the Chicago Fire 2-1 and ended the Fire's unbeaten streak.
Sporting got off to a dream start in the first ten minutes. In the sixth minute, a throw-in from Matt Besler landed at the feet of Benny Feilhaber, who rocketed the ball off the post and into the net to put Sporting KC up 1-0 in the sixth minute. It was Feilhaber's first goal of the year.
Minutes later, Graham Zusi curled a ball into the box and, whether it was a pass or a shot, it found the upper 90 corner to put Sporting Kansas City up 2-0 in the eighth minute. Suddenly it was a two-goal lead for Sporting Kansas City and Chicago's unbeaten run from mid-May was largely threatened.
Chicago pulled one back in the 38th minute. Magee made a run and caught up with a ball that was out of the reach of a Chris Rolfe touch, and was wide open to finish the shot past Jimmy Nielsen to bring the score to 2-1 in favor of Sporting KC. It was Magee's 11th of the season, which tied him for the lead in MLS goals.
The half would close with Sporting still up by one but with the Fire knocking on the door and carrying the momentum into the locker room.
Sporting would be able to hold off the Chicago attack in the second half and tensions would mount, leading to several yellow cards on both sides and a red card for Daniel Paladini after a two-footed tackle from behind on Dom Dwyer in stoppage time.
Chicago would get a late corner four minutes into stoppage time to try and equalize but the ball would clear out of bounds. The ensuing throw-in would be cleared by the Sporting KC defense and Chicago would not get another chance on goal. Sporting KC would hold on to earn three points with a 2-1 win over Chicago.
With the win, Sporting would move level with Montreal for first in the East at time of publish. Montreal still has three matches in hand over Sporting KC, including a match with Chivas USA tonight. Sporting moved two points ahead of the third-place New York Red Bulls and three over the Philadelphia Union. Sporting will be back in action Saturday night as they host Toronto FC in another Eastern Conference matchup.