Fire 1 - 1 CF Montreal
Final
  for this game

Oduro spoils Montreal's home debut

Mar 17, 2012 - 8:23 PM Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - Dominic Oduro's goal in the 71st minute denied the Montreal Impact three points in front of a record-setting crowd at Olympic Stadium on Saturday as the Chicago Fire earned a 1-1 draw.

Montreal was making its home debut in front of 58,912 fans, and through 70 minutes the home supporters had to be pleased as the Impact created a pair of chances in the first half before taking the lead in the 56th minute through captain Davy Arnaud.

The goal was the first in MLS for Montreal (0-1-1), but the lead lasted only 15 minutes before Oduro equalized.

Josh Gardner nearly provided a dramatic winning goal for the Impact on the final kick of the match but his long-range effort came crashing back off the post.

Montreal's Justin Braun was the most dangerous man for either side in the first half as he forced Chicago goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi to tip his header over the crossbar before having a goal called back for offsides.

Arnaud then made a bit of history as he netted the club's first goal after a cross from Sanna Nyassi in the 56th minute to put Montreal in front.

After losing 2-0 to Vancouver last weekend, Montreal was chasing its first win, but Chicago (0-0-1) equalized when Sebastian Grazzini floated a ball into the penalty area that Oduro lunged to redirect past goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.

Pavel Pardo went close with a free kick for the Fire in stoppage time, while Gardner rattled the post with a rocket from 25 yards that came within inches of winning the match for the home side.






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