For their inaugural match at Buck Shaw Stadium, the San Jose Earthquakes were intent on delivering their first home win of the season. But the defensive units of both the Quakes and visiting FC Dallas proved too tough to break down, as the teams played to a scoreless tie before a sellout crowd at the Quakes' new home.
San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon delivered his second shutout of the season, while Dallas counterpart Dario Sala, by far the busier of the two netminders on night, recorded his third clean sheet. The result saw Dallas maintain their one point lead atop the Western Conference, while San Jose remain tied with Houston in fifth place.
Dallas received some bad news prior to kickoff when defender Adrian Serioux failed a late fitness test due to a left leg injury. Taking his place was Anthony Wallace, who was making just his second career start.
San Jose was also forced to reshuffle their backline, with Ryan Cochrane sitting out due to a concussion he received during the Quakes' midweek U.S. Open Cup loss to Real Salt Lake. Jason Hernandez replaced him in the middle of San Jose's defense.
Despite that loss, it was the Quakes who were first to settle as the combination of Kei Kamara's aerial presence and the flank play of Ronnie O'Brien did much to unsettle the Dallas defense.
Kamara had a clear look at goal after just eight minutes when Ned Grabavoy found him on the right side of the box, but the San Jose forward didn't strike the ball cleanly, allowing Sala to make a comfortable save.
O'Brien had a similar opportunity 10 minutes later after being put through by Ramiro Corrales, but the Irishman dragged his shot wide of the far post.
San Jose kept piling on the pressure. Ivan Guerrero won a duel against Drew Moor deep along the left wing, but Dallas midfielder Pablo Ricchetti came to the rescue, cutting out Guerrero's cross.
Dallas finally responded in the 28th minute when a long ball over the top found Kenny Cooper in a bit of space, but he could only hit his shot into the side netting.
The Hoops had more success defensively as the half progressed, applying more pressure to San Jose's midfield. They were still forced to ride out some goalmouth scrambles as the half ended, but defended well enough to finish the half on even terms.
The second half began much like the first, with San Jose doing most of the attacking. A deft chip from James Riley put Kamara clean through on goal in the 50th minute, albeit from a tight angle. But the Quakes' forward opted for power over placement, and his shot went well wide of goal.
Kamara turned provider four minutes later, but his cross just missed Grabavoy at the far post.
In a bid for an attacking breakthrough, San Jose manager Frank Yallop brought on Peguero Jean Philippe in the 55th minute. The move saw San Jose launch a barrage of dangerous crosses, but the combination of Sala's goalkeeping and some tough defending allowed Dallas to withstand the pressure.
As San Jose pushed forward, opportunities began to appear for Dallas on the counterattack. A two-on-one break presented itself in the 62nd minute, with Alvarez spearheading the attack. But after doing well to free himself inside the box, the former Quakes midfielder hit his shot high.
FC Dallas head coach Steve Morrow brought on Dax McCarty for Andre Rocha in the 69th minute a bid to gain more possession. Yallop countered by introducing Shea Salinas for O'Brien. Salinas had more of an impact, shaking free to deliver several dangerous crosses, but as they had all game, the Dallas backline remained solid, successfully dealing with everything the home side threw at them.
The Quakes had the last best chance of the night in the 86th minute, when Salinas nodded down a Guerrero cross to Kamara, but the resulting shot was deflected just wide.
McCarty made his presence felt in stoppage time, heading out a dangerous Salinas cross, and the match ended scoreless.
Jeff Carlisle is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
