SAN JOSE, Calif. -- In a battle of two struggling teams, neither one could take advantage Sunday afternoon at Avaya Stadium.
Portland midfielder Diego Valeri banged a penalty kick off the crossbar and San Jose captain Chris Wondolowski fumbled away a golden opportunity as the Timbers and Earthquakes battled to a 0-0 draw before a national TV audience.
It was a disappointing outcome for both clubs, although it at least represented a point for the Quakes (7-9-5), who lost all seven of their July matches, including four league games. San Jose failed to beat Portland for a 12th time in 13 regular-season matches since the Timbers joined MLS in 2011.
Portland (9-8-6) are now winless in four overall and four straight on the road, but could take some solace in breaking a three-game losing streak away from Providence Park.
The Timbers looked primed to take the full three points on the road when Quakes defender Shaun Francis was called for a penalty for taking down Valeri in the 74th minute. But after a short break at San Jose goalkeeper David Bingham’s behest, Valeri blasted his PK attempt well over the diving goalkeeper -- just a few inches too high.
Long before that, Wondolowski used a spectacularly timed run to break behind Portland’s defense in the seventh minute. But the US international, one week off his Gold Cup experience, couldn’t cleanly trap Shea Salinas’ delivery. By the time Wondolowski fired from nine yards out, Portland goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey was able to close the gap and make a left-footed save.
Kwarasey initially looked like he got a hand to the Quakes’ next-best chance -- a looping Salinas attempt from near the end line in the 34th minute. The ball carried over the pawing Kwarasey and floated just wide of the far post for a goal kick, however.
Portland nearly shocked the hosts -- who were troubled repeatedly by bad giveaways during their July swoon -- in the 47th minute when Valeri created a turnover in the attacking third, then led Fanendo Adi into the Quakes’ area. Adi’s attempt beat Bingham but then bounced off the far post and back out again.
San Jose reasserted control in short order. Fatai Alashe headed Marvell Wynne’s delivery over the crossbar in the 61st. Two minutes after that, Francis skinned Portland right back Taylor Peay -- a halftime sub for Alvas Powell -- and caught Kwarasey flatfooted with a shot that landed on top of the roof netting.
The insertion of new Designated Player Lucas Melano for Adi in the 66th minute immediately perked up Portland’s attack. The Argentinean was barely denied his first MLS goal in the 73rd when Bingham sprawled inside his own 6-yard box to stop Melano’s right-footed toe poke of a Rodney Wallace cross.
The Timbers come home to face the Chicago Fire on Friday, while the Earthquakes return to action with a road match in Houston on Saturday.
