The Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City remain level on points in mid-table in the Western Conference after playing out a goalless draw at Providence Park.

In a first half with very few opportunities at either end, Portland wasted a good chance when Diego Valeri picked out Fanendo Adi, whose tame effort was easily kept out by Tim Melia.

Kansas invited more pressure by dropping deeper either side of the interval, but they survived another extended spell of pressure when Adi headed straight at Melia from Jorge Villafana's inviting cross.

Melia continued to be in defiant form throughout the second half, and he made another crucial save to deny Lucas Melano after Valeri had capitalised on a stray pass to find his teammate.

Despite being kept on the back foot for long spells, Kansas could have taken the lead against the run of play when Graham Zusi rattled the post with a powerful strike.

A winning goal still seemed to be a possibility as Portland piled the pressure on in the closing stages, but they wasted another opportunity when Maximiliano Urruti sent an effort just wide of the post.