The attendance was the largest for a league game in the three-year history of the Toronto franchise, although the Lynx drew 5,500 earlier this summer for an exhibition game against Santa Clara of Portugal.
Toronto has averaged 2,091 at home this season.
The fans saw the Lynx outplay the Rhinos and outshoot them 10-4 but the home side was once again unable to finish its chances as Vancouver's Pat Onstad recorded his fifth shutout in 13 games.
The win was the sixth straight for the 15-2 Rhinos, who showed their class earlier in the month when they defeated the defending MLS champion Chicago Fire 1-0 in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.
The streaky Lynx, meanwhile, slipped to 7-13 with their fourth straight loss. The slide follows a 6-1 run, which was preceded by a 1-8 start to the season.
Rochester's goal was sparked by Canadian midfielder Mauro Biello, who grabbed possession and cruised down the wing before curling a pinpoint cross to a wide-open Doug Miller. The Rhino forward promptly sent the ball over to Tanner who was alone in front of the goal.
Toronto's lineup was weakened by the loss through suspension of Richard Dos Santos, Ricardo Munguia and David DiPlacido while Chris Pozniak and Marco Reda were with Canada's Pan Am team in Winnipeg.
Toronto's disciplinary problems were exacerbated in the 90th minute when Rudy Doliscat was ejected after receiving a second red card. The Toronto defender took offence at being sent flying face first onto the cinder running track by Rochester substitute Kirk Dietrich. Both players received yellow cards - Dietrich for the challenge and Doliscat for grabbing the Rhino player with both hands around the neck.
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