Thursday's Major League Soccer Capsules

Jul 4, 2008 - 6:01 AM By PA SportsTicker

HOUSTON 0,REAL SALT LAKE 0 --------------------------

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- With first place on the line, neither Real Salt Lake nor the Houston Dynamo could put one in the back of the net. Though not for a lack of trying.

Entering Thursday night's showdown between, the two clubs had 19 points apiece - two behind the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Galaxy. But despite a relentlessly active offensive showing by Real Salt Lake and a few late chances by Houston, the teams played to a scoreless draw to remain in a dead heat for second place in the West.

From the opening minutes of the game - in which RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman mishandled an open scoring chance inside the box - Salt Lake had opportunity after opportunity fall just short, particularly in the second half. In the 47th minute, midfielder Javier Morales lobbed a pass from 40 yards out right to forward Kenny Deuchar, but the veteran forward's header went straight into the turf.

Minutes later, Andy Williams' shot went just wide right and, two minutes after that, Robbie Findley had a chance of his own, only to see his line drive sail high.

Salt Lake's best chance of the night came in the 57th minute - and once again Morales and Deuchar nearly connected for the go-ahead goal. Morales' corner kick went right to Deuchar in front of the net, but his header from point-blank range was blocked by Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad.

Onstad blocked an Ian Joy shot attempt moments later to put a cap on a flurry of Salt Lake scoring chances.

After getting outshot and outplayed for most of the game, Houston nearly stole the game in the 84th minute, as Brian Mullan found a crease inside the box and drilled a laser from a few feet out, but RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando knocked it away to avert the threat.

The teams' collective frustration spilled out in the waning minutes. Houston forward Dwayne de Rosario got into a tussle with RSL midfielder Chris Wingert, who threw a forearm and was immediately ejected. Fans expressed their displeasure, throwing drinks on the field toward the Houston players and the referees.