Photo by Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

By AARON CRANFORD

The Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes have not performed their best in recent weeks, and in Sunday’s showcase game, neither side found the breakthrough they needed.

After a record-breaking Saturday in MLS that saw 39 goals fly into the back of the net, the Earthquakes and Timbers finished in a scoreless draw at Avaya Stadium.

Diego Valeri was on the cusp of being Portland’s hero, but his blast from the penalty spot in the 75th minute cannoned off of the crossbar and back into play.

The Timbers pushed ahead in the final fifteen minutes, trying to force the issue and score a late game-winner, but the Earthquakes held firm at home and settled for the single point.

The Timbers were the better team in the second half, and that was evident just two minutes after intermission. Fanendo Adi pinged the left post after fizzing a low shot past David Bingham, but luckily for the Earthquakes goalkeeper, the woodwork was his best friend Sunday.

The best chance for San Jose to score in the second half came in the 61st minute, when rookie Fatai Alashe rose high to attempt a header after a Marvell Wynne cross. Even though the U.S. youth international was free in space, the effort looped well over goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey’s head and out.

Good news for the home side was the MLS debut of Marc Pelosi. The U.S. youth international and former Liverpool midfielder replaced Shea Salinas in the 78th minute for his first minutes with San Jose.

However, the Earthquakes are now winless in their last five matches, even though the scoreless draw did end their four-game losing streak. And the Timbers are now winless in their last four matches as well.

The Timbers will look to find a win against the Chicago Fire Friday, while the Earthquakes will head to Houston to take on the Dynamo the next day.