Impact midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo scored the tying goal in the 67th minute on a strong free kick 25 meters out, that went to the right of goalkeeper Scott Vallow, who did not react to the shot.
Defender Danny Earls opened the score for the Rhinos in the 58th minute of play. Midfielder Stephen Guppy centered a ball that Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan managed to clear, but Earls recovered it and took a point blank volley shot in the top corner.
"We lost two points tonight, yet we were the best team on the field and we should have won this game," said Impact head coach John Limniatis. "The second half time was tougher but we had a few good scoring chances and we did not succeed in scoring a second goal."
"We had a good game tonight," said Impact midfielder Pato Aguilera, who played with the Rhinos in 2004 and 2005. "Besides the fact that we played so many games lately, we showed that we are motivated right now. We wanted the three points tonight but we will get them at home Sunday."
The Canadian champions and their rivals engaged in a hard-fought first half, which did not offer any concrete scoring opportunities.
Midfielder Patrick Leduc has become the fifth player in club history to start 150 games on the Impact starting lineup, following Mauro Biello (260), Nick De Santis (210), Nevio Pizzolitto (185) and Patrick Diotte (174).
Both teams will once again face each other at the new Saputo Stadium, Sunday, 3:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com).
HIGHLIGHTS
49th minute – Impact midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo made a low center near the goal line, but Severino Jefferson and Rocco Placentino, were unable to complete the play, coming from the left flank.
52nd minute – Rhinos forward Mauricio Salles recovered a ball near the penalty box and took a high left foot canon shot that went just to the right of the Rhinos goal.
69th minute – Forward Severino Jefferson fired a low shot inside the penalty box, but Rhinos goalkeeper made the save, diving to his right.
PHOTOS PÉPÉ IN ROCHESTER
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
