Allen's career day gives RSL a 2-1 win over Toronto FC


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SANDY — Jordan Allen missed his rookie MLS campaign after a leg injury just two games into the season, and Real Salt Lake shut him down before he could make much of an impact on the field.

Since then, he’s been motivated, staying after practice every day for the past two weeks to work on finishing drills with assistant coach Ted Eck, knowing it was only a matter of time before he got his chance to prove himself.

In RSL’s third game of the 2015 season, Allen was ready — and he made the most of it.

Allen’s first career goal in MLS play came right as the clock was turning to the 90th minute, giving RSL a 2-1 victory over visiting Toronto FC on Sunday evening.

“There was so much adrenaline, and it’s just a moment that I’ve been waiting for so long,” Allen said. “It was just a great moment for me personally, and for the team also, to get three points.”

Don’t expect Allen to do much celebrating, though.

“I’m not the type of guy to celebrate too much,” he said. “To be honest, I’ll probably just get back to the field and keep working.”

Luke Mulholland opened the scoring for RSL, which got two assists from midfielder Javier Morales. RSL also set a Rio Tinto Stadium record of 20,794 fans in the first regular-season home game played on a Sunday in franchise history.

"I know that a tie at home is not good for anyone, especially in this situation," Morales said. "We are still learning, still improving, but sometimes you need to win. Tonight we did, and now the confidence will be different and it will be good for us."

Real Salt Lake's Jordan Allen (7) celebrates his goal against Toronto FC in Sandy on Sunday, March 29, 2015. RSL won 2-1. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
Real Salt Lake's Jordan Allen (7) celebrates his goal against Toronto FC in Sandy on Sunday, March 29, 2015. RSL won 2-1. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)

Allen, a native of Rochester, New York, admitted he and the rest of the team dropped their heads — just for a second — when Toronto’s Jackson evened the scored in the 88th minute. But Allen, who came on as a substitute for Sebastian Jaime with only 16 minutes left in regulation, didn’t waste any time in making an impact.

And the young striker who has played at several positions during his brief pro career didn't drop his head for long — a "real positive" thing for RSL, his head coach said.

“It’s good when young players can gain that kind of experience in that kind of game and also come through," RSL coach Jeff Cassar said. "I’ve got to imagine his confidence is going to be high. The staff and myself have confidence in all of our players, and Jordan came through tonight.”

RSL outshot Toronto FC 11-8, but TFC narrowly outpaced the home side 6-5 in shots on frame as the Canadian team desperately searched for the equalizer.

After Mulholland gave the team a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute, backup goalkeeper Jeff Attinella stood on his head to deny the visitors time and again with a flurry of desperation saves. Attinella finished with five saves on eight shots faced as he kept Toronto off the scoreboard for all but two minutes of the game.

But Jackson’s kick came as he weaved around RSL center backs Jamison Olave and Chris Schuler, and he slipped the ball underneath a charging Attinella for the goal in the lower third.

Allen’s goal came off a whipping cross from near the end line by Morales, who tallied a pair of assists via crosses that led to both goals. The veteran Argentine playmaker relayed a ball to Allen’s head, and the University of Virginia product put his head on it from inside the 6-yard box for the game-winner.

“As soon as you see Javi on the ball in an area like that, you have to expect the ball to come to you,” Allen said. “He has the quality where he’ll put the ball right to me, to my head. He gives you an easy job to finish it, and I just had to make sure I was aware and expecting the ball to come through.”

Allen hadn’t scored a goal since striking the game-winner for UVA in an NCAA Tournament win over UConn to move on to the College Cup semifinals.

“It was great. Conceding so late was a real bummer,” Mulholland said of the late-match heroics. “So we’re delighted to get the win 2-1, and even more delighted for Jordan. Seeing his first professional goal, it means a lot for him.”

Allen played only 32 total minutes in RSL’s first two matches, both draws, and only had 16 minutes to effect change Sunday.

But it turned out to be plenty of time.

“Whenever the ball comes your way, you have to make sure to take advantage of it because there’s not that much time left,” Allen said. “Every little thing you do is important for the end of the game.”

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