Romero, Di Vaio goals lift Impact to 2-0 win over Fire, remain unbeaten at home

MONTREAL – Andres Romero and Marco Di Vaio scored in the second half as the Montreal Impact defeated the 10-man Chicago Fire 2-0 to end a two-game Major League Soccer winless run on Saturday afternoon.

The Impact (5-1-1), coming off a draw two weeks ago with Columbus, improved to 3-0-1 at home while the Fire (2-5-1) saw their early season struggles continue. Chicago is 0-3-1 on the road.

Argentine midfielder Romero got his first MLS goal 57 minutes in as he took a ball on the left side, sidestepped Fire captain Logan Pause and placed the ball in the far top corner behind Sean Johnson.

With the Fire down a man in the 76th, Di Vaio controlled a chip pass from Daniele Paponi and, with his back to the goal, spun and fired a low shot inside the left post for his fourth of the season.

Fire midfielder Jeff Larentowicz was shown the red card for a reckless tackle on Paponi in the 64th and a skirmish erupted when Johnson then charged at Di Vaio to thwart a shot attempt. Both were cautioned.

The crowd of 19,773 at the 20,521-seat Saputo Stadium got a first look at newcomer Paponi, who paired impressively with his former Bologna teammate Di Vaio for a handful of scoring chances.

The Impact, in only their second league match since March 30, showed their rust early as Chicago controlled the play and got chances from Gonzalo Segares, Patrick Nyarko and a long blast by Daniel Paladini that forced Troy Perkins to dive to his right.

Montreal found its legs midway through the first half as Paponi headed a Pisanu pass just over the bar in the 27th minute. Jeb Brovsky just missed the left post with a volley and Paponi hit another drive just wide.

Already hit with injuries in the central defence, the Impact saw veteran Alessandro Nesta leave in the 54th minute. France native Wandrille Lefevre, a product of the club’s academy, saw his first MLS action. He was given an assist on Romero’s goal and saw the yellow card for a tackle from behind.

Notes: Midfielder Patrice Bernier started on the bench for the first time this season and substituted Felipe Martins while newcomer Paponi made his first MLS start. Bernier had been among only four Impact players to play every minute . . . Karl Ouimette also came out of the starting 11 in favour of Dennis Iapichino. . . Chicago defender Wells Thompson served a one-game suspension for a reckless tackle last week against Columbus. His spot was taken by Daniel Paladini.