A goal from midfielder Sandro Grande on a penalty kick at the 45th minute of play led the Montreal Impact (10-10-5; 35 points) to a 1-1 tie against the Minnesota Thunder (8-11-8; 32 points) Friday at Saputo Stadium.

Grande beat Thunder goalkeeper Nicolas Platter with a low shot to his left. A few seconds earlier, Impact forward Peter Byers had been hooked in the box by midfielder Kyle Altman. This was the first goal on a penalty in club history at Saputo Stadium.

“I think that we were tired from all our recent trips,” said Grande. “Nonetheless, this tie still keeps us in the race for the playoffs. We now have to focus on Monday’s game against Portland to increase our chances for a spot in the playoffs.”

Midfielder Stephane deRoux had opened the score for the Thunder at the 21st minute. After accepting a short pass from Jeremiah Bass, deRoux dribbled over a few meters and took a high shot from the top of the box that found the inside of the right post, leaving no chance to goalkeeper Matt Jordan.

Jordan registered his 10th win of the season, after facing ten shots. He distinguished himself in the second half on a number of key saves.

“It was a tough game because obviously they were coming fresh and on our side, we were in Honduras two days ago as well as on the road for a long run,” said Jordan. “But all the credit for tonight goes to our guys. We dug deep and it’s how we got the result. During games like this one, you know you will have to make a couple of saves to help your teammates and I’m glad I did that tonight.”

Impact head coach John Limniatis missed Friday’s game due to a one-game suspension for his ejection from the last game in North Carolina. Assistant coach Andrea Di Pietrantonio replaced him behind the bench.

“We would have wanted to get a win but the way the game went, we will have to settle for the tie,” said Di Pietrantonio. “Minnesota did some great things, but we also got a few opportunities without scoring. Matt Jordan is a team leader and it’s the kind of game that we are expecting from him in moments when the team doesn’t play as well. Tonight’s game perhaps represents what will happen over the next few weeks, but our players who play less often will have to bring more energy to the team.”

Defender Adam Braz made a comeback after missing 10 games, following a thigh injury. He had been out of the lineup since July 28.

For the 10th time in 2008, all 13,034 tickets at Saputo Stadium have been sold. The Impact has also established a new attendance record at home with 165,961 tickets sold so far in regular season.

The Impact will play its next game Monday, September 8 against the Portland Timbers at Saputo Stadium (7:30 pm, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com). A reminder that September 3 tickets will be valid for this game.