SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Coming into its match against the San Jose Earthquakes, FC Dallas had allowed the second-fewest goals in Major League Soccer. It had also posted two shutouts.

Saturday night, Dallas' defense posted its third scoreless game of the season, but its offense also was scoreless for the second game in a row. Dallas tied San Jose, 0-0, at Santa Clara University's Buck Shaw Stadium.

With MLS commissioner Don Garber, the mayor of San Jose and a sellout crowd of 10,151 in attendance for the Earthquakes' first match in their new home, San Jose (1-3-1) poured on the attack most of the night, keeping the game mostly in the Dallas half of the field.

Despite the tie, Dallas stayed a point ahead of Los Angeles atop the Western standings. Dallas coach Steve Morrow said he was pleased with the result.

"I think it's very positive we've come away from home and kept a clean sheet," he said. "It's never bad to get a point on the road."

Dallas (2-1-3) got its first serious chance of the second half in the 62nd minute. Midfielder Arturo Alvarez brought the ball all the way up from the back on a 2-on-2 breakaway and missed high and left from 20 yards out.

"I've got to do better," Alvarez said. "These games are pretty much the ones that are determined by one opportunity, and I have to take advantage of it."

To its credit, Dallas never broke, forcing San Jose to head for the flanks and send hopeful crosses into the box.

"I think they put us under pressure with services and crosses into the box," said Morrow. "And I thought we dealt with it well."

Anthony Wallace played well in his first start of the season for Dallas. He was filling in for defender Adrian Serioux, whose left leg began bothering him Tuesday. Midfielder Pablo Ricchetti was back in the starting lineup after not starting the last two weeks with a groin injury.

Dallas has an important stretch ahead. Its next five games will be against Western Division opponents, starting with Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles.

Isaiah Guzman is a freelance writer in Santa Clara, Calif.