(Sports Network) - The San Jose Earthquakes extended their unbeaten run to nine Major League Soccer fixtures (4-0-5) with a 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo Saturday night at Buck Shaw Stadium. With the draw, the 'Quakes (7-9-8) inched closer to a playoff spot, trailing Chivas USA by just one point for the last guaranteed spot in the West. Houston (11-5-9) extended its lead atop the Western Conference table to seven points.

After a physical first half saw the teams battle to a scoreless draw, the 'Quakes Ronnie O'Brien broke the stalemate with his fourth goal of the season in the 50th minute.

He took a feed from Arturo Alvarez at the top right corner of the Houston penalty area and fired a rocket into the far post side netting past Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad.

Houston forward Brian Ching made it 1-1 in the 71st minute, however, when he headed home his team-leading 10th goal of the season. Brian Mullan crossed from the right side, and after a deflection, Ching was left alone in the middle of the six-yard box. He made no mistake on the chance, cooly slotting the ball past Joe Cannon.

Houston defender Eddie Robinson was booked with his second yellow of the game in the 85th minute, but the 'Quakes couldn't take advantage and had to settle for the draw.

The two teams will play the second of the home-and-home when they square off at Robertson Stadium in Houston next Saturday in their next league fixtures.



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