Under Wizards' spell

FOXBOROUGH -- The Revolution have been able to be a dominant MLS team in recent years without having much success against the Kansas City Wizards.

That followed form last night as the Revolution squandered a two-goal lead in a 4-3 loss to the Wizards at Gillette Stadium, although they remained tied for first place in the overall standings.

Eddie Johnson scored three times for the Wizards, who are unbeaten in 11 games (7-0-4) against the Revolution in Foxborough dating to Sept. 7, 1999.

The Revolution (5-2-2, 17 points) took an early lead but surrendered two goals in a one-minute span as they had unbeaten streaks snapped of nine (home) and seven (overall) games.

Davy Arnaud scored in the 25th minute, then Johnson converted in the 26th, 37th, and 82 d minutes for Kansas City (5-2-1, 16 points).

"We got away from what we are good at, getting the ball early and opening up the field," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "We were losing the ball in the middle of the park. They have some dangerous guys . . . and the guys at the back couldn't handle them."

A quick counter led to the opening goal, Shalrie Joseph finding Andy Dorman, who ran from the center circle to the edge of the penalty area, then found Steve Ralston, who scored on a left-foot rebound in the 11th minute. Taylor Twellman took the ball at the halfway line and ran at four defenders, then shot from 30 yards, the deflection off Aaron Hohlbein for a 23d-minute score.

But Kansas City retaliated, finding space between the Revolution defenders for its first goal.

"We were 2-nil up and we were seeing signs before it happened," Nicol said. "We were losing the ball in the wrong area of the field already and it took time to sort that out. When we lost the ball, that gave them a chance to break and do what they did. In the second half, we completely and utterly dominated and maybe we deserved something from the game."

In the 25th minute, Sasha Victorine lofted the ball to Arnaud, who chested down between Joseph and James Riley in the penalty area, then fired the shot under Matt Reis. A minute later, a Riley clearance went directly to Jack Jewsbury, who launched the ball to Johnson for the tying score. In the 37th minute, Victorine took control in midfield and found Johnson isolated against Jay Heaps, Johnson taking the ball from left to right across the penalty area, and holding off Heaps for a 3-2 lead.

"The first goal was a mental breakdown," Joseph said. "I should know they have a guy there. It was a great ball but I've got to be aware there is a guy there and get back on him."

Ralston moved into a midfield playmaking position and Wells Thompson went to the right wing in the 57th minute. Joseph tied the score with a 69th-minute penalty kick after his centering pass went off Jewsbury's hand, referee Abbey Okulaja immediately awarding the penalty.

Wizard substitute Carlos Marinelli brought another dimension to the midfield early in the second half and found Johnson for the fourth goal. Riley kept Johnson onside on the play, and Marinelli's through ball allowed Johnson to carry across the penalty area and finish past Reis and a sliding Riley in the 82d minute.

"It was my fault, I got caught between stopping and going," Riley said. "We got caught and they exploited it and put it away well."

Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.