Jermaine Jones' debut MLS goal on the weekend allowed New England Revolution to strengthen their MLS play-off hopes.
The 32-year old USA international struck in the 85th minute as the Revs edged reigning MLS champions Sporting Kansas City 3-2 at Sporting Park on Friday night.
Kelyn Rowe and Jose Goncalves had given New England a two-goal advantage inside 25 minutes before SKC hit back through Paulo Nagamura and Dom Dwyer who netted twice in two minutes prior to the hour-mark.
But with five minutes of regular game time remaining, former Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke and Blackburn Rovers midfielder Jones gave the Revs a late reprieve to move them to third spot on the Eastern Conference table whereb they join Sporting on 45 points but sit behind them on goal difference.
In the wake of the victory, New England goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth was full of praise for experienced teammates Goncalves and Jones who started to control the match when Sporting got on top.
"We were just trying to slow things down," said Shuttleworth.
"We've got some good veteran leadership between Jose and Jermaine.
"We've got guys that have been there. At that point it's just slowing the game down and getting some passes together and trying to get a goal."
He added: "It's a great team win for us. For us to go up two, then they get two goals and for us to get one at the end, I think that says a lot about our squad."
