Photo by Mike Dinovo / USA Today Sports Images

By ADAM TROXTELL

Real Salt Lake’s woes ended as the Chicago Fire’s looked to be returning.

A goal either side of halftime handed RSL a 2-1 win, its first in six games, at Toyota Park on Saturday. Recent U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team selection Jordan Allen was involved in both goals as he begins to shift attention to the World Cup at the end of the month.

But for now, RSL will take what it can get. Allen set up Alvaro Saborio for a 1-0 RSL lead within the opening 15 minutes, and Luke Mulholland completed another team move in the second half to double the lead.

A converted penalty kick by Jeff Larentowicz made for an interesting final few minutes, but it was a simple consolation for the Fire who spent much of the afternoon failing to find a path to goal. Out of the team’s 14 shots, three were on target as RSL sustained the pressure for a valuable road victory.

The Fire has now lost two straight after rattling off three straight wins last month.

In an even first half where both teams struggled to find a decisive pass, RSL bucked the trend in the 13th minute. Allen made his way down the left before playing the ball square to Saborio at the top of the box.

An easy turn and finish followed, giving RSL its first lead in a game since April 5. It was an effective difference maker, since the Fire were able to get the ball around the goal but rarely threaten to score.

Quincy Amarikwa and Guly do Prado worked to connect, but they were constantly interrupted by either the RSL defense or a lack of effectiveness by the Fire.

Things weren’t much better for RSL at the other end, but it was good enough. The team’s second shot on goal of the game became its second goal of the game when Devon Sandoval picked up the ball on the left and turned to find Mulholland wide open in the 56th minute.

With 67 minutes gone, the Fire finally put its first shot on target, only for Nick Rimando to come up big. Second-half substitute Kennedy Igboananike connected with Joevin Jones’ curling pass for a first time shot, but Rimando tipped the ball over from point-blank range.

Rimando pushed an effort from Jones onto the bar as stoppage time loomed to maintain RSL’s lead. The Fire rallied behind a late Larentowicz penalty kick, earned when Shaun Maloney was brought down while collecting a ball to the left of goal.

RSL continues an eastern swing next Saturday against the Montreal Impact. The Fire hit the road to face New York City FC, a rematch from a few weeks ago when Chicago pulled out a victory.