By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com
Rochester Rhinos took their unbeaten streak to four matches during the latest weekend of action in the USSF D-2 Pro League.
All five games were played on Saturday, with Bob Lilley's Rhinos and Montreal Impact taking maximum points from their latest league contests. Saturday also saw FC Tampa Bay Rowdies play in front of their home fans for the first time this season.
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After an eventful Nutrilite Canadian Championship trip to Vancouver in midweek, Montreal returned home and faced NSC Minnesota Stars at Stade Saputo. While spirits were high following Friday's announcement that Montreal would be the 19th team to join Major League Soccer in 2012, the Impact left it very late to defeat Manny Lagos' side
2-1
. A pair of goals by second-half substitute Rocco Placentino, including the winner deep into five minutes of time added on, gave the Impact their second straight league win. This despite Montreal coming from a goal down after Brian Cvilikas had given ten-man Minnesota the lead.
In Upstate New York, the Rhinos overcame gusty conditions to win their first-ever meeting with Athletic Club of St. Louis after claiming a
2-1 result
at Rochester's Marina Auto Stadium. Anthony Hamilton and Ryan Heins had the goals for the USL Conference leaders. Meanwhile, in Florida, a sell-out crowd of 8,082 at Tampa's George M. Steinbrenner Field saw ten-man FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
draw 2-2
with Austin Aztex in their home opener. Aaron King opened the scoring from the penalty spot for the Rowdies before Austin's Eddie Johnson levelled matters from a free kick to make it 1-1 at the break. The Aztex took the lead when Jamie Watson converted a penalty after Tampa Bay defender Rob Valentino was sent off for a handball on his own goalline. In dying stages, the Rowdies earned a point after World Cup-bound New Zealand international Jeremy Christie scored the game's third penalty of the night.
Down the road in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Miami FC made it draw number four to start their 2010 campaign after a
1-1 stalemate
with Carolina RailHawks at Lockhart Stadium. Abe Thompson gave the Blues the lead before Carolina earned an away point when Josh Gardner beat former RailHawks goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell with a free kick in the very late stages. Meanwhile, on the west coast, Crystal Palace Baltimore earned their first point as a North American second division club following a creditable goalless draw at NASL Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps.