Goalless Draw Between Houston And LA Creates Three-Way Tie Atop West

A scoreless match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo moves both tied with Chivas USA at the top of the Western Conference.

Donovan Ricketts came up big for LA on several occasions to preserve the point, with Landon Donovan rested at the start of the match.

Brian Ching was sent off late on for the Dynamo, making it the fifth straight game Houston finished a match down a man.

First Half

Houston's decision to play its international stars from the start led to the game's first chance in the sixth minute. Omar Gonzalez kicked Brian Ching's foot out from under him, giving the Dynamo a free kick on the very edge of the 18-yard box. Brad Davis played the ball backwards and Stuart Holden smashed his shot high.

Ten minutes later, Donovan Ricketts fell when coming out for a corner, leaving the goal unguarded. The Galaxy defense held firm to clear before Houston had a decent shot on the empty net.

With an extra midfielder in for Landon Donovan, LA pressed the ball exceptionally well. Houston couldn't make in-roads let alone get a few un-harried seconds on the ball. This meant the best chances came from set pieces.

From a free kick deep in the LA half, Bobby Boswell rose highest to meet Davis' delivery, putting too much mustard on it and heading wide. From that play, the Galaxy hit out on a counter. Pat Onstad had to usher Mike Magee wide in the box as the Dynamo defense was caught out. Eventually that chance fizzled out when Magee passed the ball back and let the defenders catch up.

From there on out, the game became a showcase for Donovan Ricketts. The Jamaican made three top quality saves to ensure the half finished goalless.

In the 25th minute, Luis Angel Landin turned his defender with some quick footwork. He spun and uncorked with his left foot. Ricketts dove a full stretch to push the ball around for a corner.

The save three minutes later impressed even more. A ball over the top set Brian Mullan through on goal. He left it to Stuart Holden, steaming in behind him, who drove a low shot on frame. Ricketts' agility preserved the clean sheet once again.

Late in the half, Ricardo Clark made good contact with his head from a corner, but the ball fell directly to Ricketts, who held.

Second Half

Perhaps the Houston defense was distracted by Landon Donovan suiting up on the sidelines or maybe the LA attackers wanted to impress lest one of them be taken off, because the best chance of the game came in the 52nd minute.

Eddie Lewis hit a low cross into the box. Edson Buddle shrugged Geoff Cameron to the ground, dinking the ball over Onstad. As the ball bounced toward the open net, Cameron recovered quickly to bicycle the ball out from under the crossbeam. Only inches and a millisecond separated the Galaxy and the opening goal before Cameron intervened.

Donovan made his entrance a minute later. LA's counters lacked their usual pace and cutting edge all match, so LA coach Bruce Arena hoped the speed of the U.S. international would remedy that.

It nearly paid off just after the hour mark. Donovan burst past Boswell to get a clear view of the goal. Opening his body in an attempt to curl his shot to the far post, he opened it too far, sending his attempt well wide.

Houston's best chance came in the 77th minute. Mullan padded a soft header back into the area where Landin stepped over it. That let the ball fall to a wide-open Holden on the six yard line. Again, Ricketts rushed out to smother the chance.

With 10 minutes to go, the game produced some controversy. Ricardo Clark and David Beckham both went for a ball rather clumsily. It didn't look like there was any malice on either side, but Clark took offense, shoving Beckham in the face. Beckham retaliated with a push of his own, and the other players poured in to either break it up or defend their teammates.

In the aftermath of the minor shoving match, Brian Ching was sent off. The Dynamo captain heatedly confronted Beckham as the teams set up for the free kick and apparently headbutted the England international.

Houston continued to have the better of the chances, even a man down, but couldn't take advantage. The game ended 0-0.

Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com

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