TORONTO - Defender Marco Palacios scored on a header early in the second half to give Pumas a 1-1 tie with Toronto FC on Tuesday in a CONCACAF Champions League Group C match.

Toronto had taken a 1-0 lead at BMO Field against the Mexican team in the first half on a goal by Peri Marosevic.

The draw gives Pumas eight points from their five games in the group while Toronto and FC Dallas each have seven. FC Dallas will play winless Tauro FC of Panama on Wednesday in the fifth game for both teams.

Toronto plays at Dallas on Oct. 18 in the final Group C match for both teams.

The game between Toronto and Pumas was much more competitive than when the teams met in Mexico City on Sept. 14. Pumas won 4-0, scoring all their goals in the first half.

This time Toronto had the lead at the half. Toronto made one substitute at the half with defender Doneil Henry replacing striker Danny Koevermans as Toronto played five at the back to try to protect it. It was reported later that Koevermans was feeling ill.

Palacios tied it with a header from the centre of the box in the 51st minute. It came off a cross Erick Vera after a corner kick.

A couple of minutes after defender Richard Eckersley was taken out of the game with an injury, Ryan Johnson nearly put Toronto ahead with a shot to the upper left corner but keeper Odin Patino made the save.

Pumas hit the post with less than 10 minutes to play when a shot hit defender Andy Iro's head and hit the right post.

Keeper Milos Kocic made a save off a free kick by Javier Cortes two minutes into stoppage after Ashtone Morgan picked up a yellow card for his foul.

Pumas had the better of the play in the first half but Toronto scored in the 35th minute on a goal by Marosevic.

Koevermans has been the main goal scorer for Toronto in recent games, but this time he was the playmaker. He headed the ball down to his feet and played it back to Marosevic who placed his shot neatly into the lower right corner.

The goal came after Pumas had had the better chances. Michelle Castro forced Kocic to make the first save of the match in the eighth minute after Toronto's Nick Soolsma gave up the ball.

Marosevic had Toronto's first shot in the 17th minute but didn't get a strong shot and goalkeeper Odin Patino handled it easily.

A couple of minutes later Pumas were unfortunate when Diego De Buen hit the left post with a booming shot from outside the penalty area.

Toronto FC was without Torsten Frings, Terry Dunfield and Mikael Yourassowsky because of yellow card accumulation.

Pumas opened with four starters from the side that opened the game against Toronto in Mexico City.

Notes: Toronto FC has three games left in the MLS season with the next one Saturday at BMO Field against the New York Red Bulls. ... Joao Plata is still out with a strained hamstring. ... Eric Avila, who came to Toronto on Aug. 2, has not played because he is cup-tie to FC Dallas.