San Jose Earthquakes and FC Dallas cancelled each other out with a 0-0 draw at the Avaya Stadium in a feisty clash that spawned three red cards.
Only seven minutes elapsed before either side fashioned a chance, and it was Dallas as Victor Ulloa fired wide, before Mauro Díaz sent a free kick over the bar shortly after.
Mark Sherrod could, and perhaps should, have opened the scoring on 16 minutes when he drilled Matias Perez Garcia's delivery well over the bar from close range.
Four minutes later Michael Barrios was denied by goalkeeper David Bingham, before Atiba Harris fired wide as the visitors grew on top once more.
The pendulum swung back in San Jose's favour as MLS legend Chris Wondolowski looked to take matters into his own hands, but his effort was beaten away by Dan Kennedy, who preserved parity at the break.
Bingham was forced into action early in the second half by once again denying Barrios, whose near-post effort looked to be sneaking past the home keeper.
Dallas were given renewed hope of breaking the deadlock when Sherrod was sent off for a reckless challenge on 53 minutes but Oscar Pareja's side struggled to make their advantage count.
Their numerical advantage was negated when Je-Vaughn Watson was also shown a straight red card on 75 minutes as the hosts then pushed for a winner.
Wondolowski headed over following Shea Salinas's excellent delivery, before Salinas then pulled his shot wide on 82 minutes.
Any hopes that the Earthquakes had of a dramatic winner were dashed on 87 minutes when JJ Koval became the third recipient of a straight red card as both sides shared the spoils.
Shane Callaghan
