Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City have played out a goalless draw at BBVA Compass Stadium in their MLS Eastern Conference final playoff first leg.

The hosts made a brighter start to the contest and had the game's first chance in the fourth minute when Oscar Boniek Garcia saw his effort saved by Jimmy Nielsen.

Minutes later Bobby Boswell came close for the Dynamo, before Sporting's Graham Zusi and Jacob Peterson had chances in quick succession.

Chances dried up thereafter, with the home team continuing to edge possession as the two sides headed into the break locked at 0-0.

Sporting made a positive start to the second half, though, as Paulo Nagamura and Oriol Rosell tried their luck from long range but in vain, before the Dynamo hit back through Cam Weaver.

The visitors continued to create chances as the second period progressed with Benny Feilhaber and Aurelien Collin coming close, but neither side managed to break the deadlock.