Updated

The Montreal Impact claimed a fifth victory in seven games on Saturday at Saputo Stadium behind second-half goals from Andres Romero and Marco Di Vaio in a 2-0 triumph over the Chicago Fire.

Chicago forced Montreal goalkeeper Troy Perkins to deal with a few long-range efforts in the first half, but neither goalkeeper was too severely tested as the match entered the second 45 minutes without a goal.

Romero unlocked the Chicago defense in the 57th minute to put his side in front when he got the ball on the left wing and danced past a defender inside the penalty area before curling a shot inside the far post.

Chicago was just one goal down with 30 minutes still to play, but the Fire's chances greatly diminished in the 63rd when Jeff Larentowicz received a straight red card for clipping the foot of Montreal's Andrea Pisanu as he made his way toward goal.

Di Vaio's ensuing free kick was nicely parried by Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson, but the Italian made the most of his next chance in the 76th minute.

Daniele Paponi's flick inside the box pushed the ball on to Di Vaio, who brought it down with his back to goal and scored on the turn with a shot that caromed into the net off the left post.

The Impact had two more chances to add to that lead, but Di Vaio's effort rolled just wide of the post before Johnson produced a fine stop on a shot from Paponi.