Call Alan Marcina the miracle-worker.

He single-handedly pulled Miami FC's playoff hopes off of life support.

The Blues stared a catastrophic home loss to the Montreal Impact in the face for most of Saturday night, but Marcina scored the game-saving -- and possibly season-saving -- goal in stoppage time, earning the home team a 1-1 draw at FIU Stadium.

Marcina corralled a long pass from Jack Traynor inside the box and redirected it past Impact keeper Srdjan Djekanovic in one fluid motion.

``At the end of the games, you rely on the long balls to try to get back into it,'' said Marcina, who was a halftime substitution. ``Jack made a great pass. I'm happy because we salvaged the point.''

Until then, it appeared that a goal by Montreal's Mauro Biello in the 42nd minute was enough to cost the Blues the game -- and determine their fate.

Instead, Miami FC (7-8-4) remained tied with Vancouver (7-7-4) for sixth place in the USL-1 standings; Montreal (6-8-5) is stuck in eighth place and would miss the playoffs if the season had ended Saturday.

The teams spent the game's first 15 minutes chasing each other around the field, with neither club getting a shot on goal. But the Blues' game plan was clear: Work the sidelines with fullbacks Tim Merritt and Walter Ramirez pushing up the field, then look for openings in the defense.

Yet the Impact showed discipline, shadowing the Blues and cutting off the passing lanes.

The Blues' first true scoring opportunity came in the 27th minute, when midfielder John Pulido found himself open inside the 18. Pulido ripped a shot that sailed just left of the cage.

Miami FC nearly earned a penalty kick seven minutes later, when Edwin Miranda, who was dashing to the goal, ended up on the ground inside the box. Impact defender Nevio Pizzolitto appeared to make contact with Miranda, but the officials ruled that Miranda had taken a dive.

The Impact, on the other hand, didn't have any real offensive opportunities until late in the half. Montreal made the most of that first chance.

Ciaran O'Brien sent in a cross from the left wing that found the head of Biello, who redirected past Blues 'keeper Pat Hannigan.

Montreal went into the locker room with a 1-0 halftime lead.

Blues coach Zinho didn't sit on his hands at the break. He pulled forward Diego Serna in favor of Marcina and had midfielder Pedro Faife replace Jarryd Goldberg off the bench.

The Blues got a good look three minutes into the second half when Ramirez placed a free kick on target, but Zourab Tsiskaridze mistimed his jump and missed the pass.

For the rest of the second half, the Blues couldn't get much going -- until Marcina emerged.

``I thought the tie was fair,'' Zinho said. ``We came out to win the game. Montreal was playing back most of the match.''

The Blues' defense played without Zach Kirby, who still is recovering from a concussion he sustained in Miami FC's loss to Portland on July 19. Defender Cristiano Dias missed his first game with a leg injury.

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