Galaxy and Houston tied, 0-0, at halftime

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Halftime has arrived in MLS Western Conference final and neither the Galaxy nor the Houston Dynamo have yet managed to find a way to pierce the other’s defense.

The game, in front of about 22,000 fans at the Home Depot Center has been frenetic, all hustle and bustle, but without a match-altering moment so far.

The 18-minute blackout when the lights failed did not seem to affect the players, although it did make the fans a bit restless.

The teams are so evenly matched that it could be one moment of brilliance or one unfortunate mistake that ends up deciding which side advances to the Nov. 22 MLS Cup final in Seattle against either the Chicago Fire or Real Salt Lake, who play each other in the Eastern Conference final on Saturday.

Halftime statistics, such as they are, show the Galaxy having out-shot Houston, 8-5 overall and 4-1 in shots on target.

Pretty bleak stuff, to be honest, but perhaps the second 45 minutes will produce some real drama.

Assuming the lights stay on.

[UPDATE: Galaxy advance to the MLS Cup final after defeating Houston, 2-0, in overtime.]

--Grahame L. Jones