Own goals never come at a good time, and this one was no exception. Beltran's header off a Kansas City free kick came in the 89th minute of the game.

Beltran has never been responsible for an own goal in his career.

"And I don't want it to become a habit," he said.

So the first first-place appearance in RSL history will have to wait. With a win, RSL (5-6-4, 19 points) would have vaulted ahead of the Los Angeles Galaxy for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Galaxy play today at D.C. United.

RSL entered Saturday's game with a franchise-record five-game unbeaten streak.

"It's hard for us to feel satisfied," RSL coach Jason Kreis said. "This is another game where you have to feel like you dropped a point. If we're a little more focused for the last couple of minutes, we pick up a point. That's happened too often to us this year."

The Wizards, who improved to 4-5-4 with 16 points in the Eastern Conference, ended a scoreless streak that lasted a combined 409 minutes, a span that stretched five games.

The crucial play began after RSL's Kenny Cutler was called for a foul on the Wizards' Ryan Pore, a foul that RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando questioned after the game. ("If you look at the replay, he didn't touch him at all," Rimando said.) On the free kick from 20 yards out, the Wizards' Davy Arnaud sent a ball about 5 yards in front of the net. Beltran and Kansas City's Jimmy Conrad went up for the ball, but only Beltran got his head on it. The ball skidded off Beltran's head and into the net.

"It's just unlucky," Beltran said. "It's heartbreaking for me because my teammates put up such an effort. Now we leave with nothing. It's almost unbearable. But they're behind me. The same with the coaching staff."

Kreis said: "I wouldn't necessarily fault the final touch that ends in the back of the net. I would have to look at why we give that free kick away in such a dangerous spot."

Prior to the goal, the Wizards squandered several golden opportunities, leaving them frequently holding their hands on their heads after errant shots. Kansas City outshot RSL 21-13.

In short

* RSL misses a chance to vault ahead of the Los Angeles Galaxy into first place in the Western Conference.

* KEY MOMENT: RSL's Tony Beltran heads a ball into his own net in the 89th minute to help give Kansas City the victory.