CARSON, Calif. - Despite facing an undermanned Los Angeles Galaxy squad, D.C. United could not find the back of the net Saturday night and walked away from The Home Depot Center with a scoreless draw.
The result snapped United's three-match winning streak. It also marked just the second time this season that United has not scored. Jaime Moreno stayed on 108 goals and will have to wait another week to try and set the all-time league scoring mark.
The Galaxy had just four substitutes available for the match, including backup goalkeeper Steve Cronin. Two of the reserves had combined for nine minutes of action this season.
United withstood some early Galaxy pressure. Galaxy standout Landon Donovan had several runs at United's defense, and walked in on D.C. goalkeeper Troy Perkins on one chance, but Perkins did well to dive and knock the ball away from Donovan's feet.
Luciano Emilio nearly created a goal from seemingly nothing in the 27th minute. With the Galaxy controlling the ball deep in their territory, Emilio stole a ball and carried the ball into the penalty area. Emilio ripped a shot on goal that apparently fooled Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon.
The ball went to the front of the goal where Cannon dived and tried to scoop it into his arms. Instead, the ball bounced in front of him and nearly onto Jaime Moreno's path, but Moreno could not get a foot on the ball and Cannon quickly snatched it away.
Moreno almost created a scoring chance for United in the 34th minute. From the right side of the penalty area, Moreno slipped a ball to the top of the box but Christian Gomez fanned on his attempt.
Instead, the Galaxy went the other way on a counterattack. The ball eventually ended up at Santino Quaranta's feet and the former United man sent a cross into the penalty area. Nate Jaqua leapt over Perkins' reach but the ball floated harmlessly over the crossbar.
In the 38th minute, Fred ripped an 18-yard blast on goal but Cannon was in good position and knocked the ball away. Emilio snared the rebound and fired a shot off the post but Ben Olsen was in an offside position and the play was ruled dead.
Clyde Simms had a good attempt in the 44th minute but his 22-yard shot skimmed just over the crossbar.
Gomez had space in the 55th minute inside the penalty area but could not get a shot on goal as Galaxy defender Tyrone Marshall did well to get in front of Gomez's attempt and sent it into touch.
Gomez and Emilio combined for United's best scoring chance of the first hour. Gomez sprinted down the right flank and crossed to Emilio, who rose for the ball and powered a header on goal. The ball, though, went right to Cannon who did well to control the ball.
In the 60th minute, Gomez tested Cannon twice. First, he bent a 16-yard shot on goal and forced Cannon to make a diving save. Then, Gomez sent a header on frame but Cannon saved the shot.
Fred sent a header wide of the goal one minute later after Moreno lofted a cross from the right side of the field to an unmarked Fred on the back post.
United's defense kept the Galaxy from scoring in the 72nd minute. Peter Vagenas stole the ball from Clyde Simms and fed Donovan inside the box. Donovan latched onto the ball but had his back to the goal. He fed Cobi Jones as United 'keeper Troy Perkins charged off his line but United defender Bryan Namoff cleared Jones' blistering 15-yard shot safely out of bounds.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
