HEREDIA, Costa Rica - Both teams had their chances to take three points as the LA Galaxy visited Herediano for a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match on Thursday night, but neither could put their opportunities away in a scoreless draw that leaves everything to be settled next week.

The two teams now regroup and head to Los Angeles for Wednesday's second-leg clash at the Home Depot Center.

The somewhat scrappy affair started slowly, as the intensity level built gradually.

Midway through the first half, a Robbie Keane attempt on goal was blocked after Hector Jimenez provided the service.

With two minutes left before the interval, Herediano nearly grabbed the lead off a corner kick.  Defender Cristian Montero took advantage of poor defensive positioning to beat Galaxy goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, but his header rang off the crossbar and the teams headed to half time scoreless.

The second half started with a bang, as a defensive mix up nearly gifted Herediano a first.  Yendrick Ruiz, though, scraped his shot just wide of the post.

A minute later, the Galaxy should have had the opener when Robbie Keane fed Mike Magee at the six, but the forward's shot from point blank range slammed off the crossbar and bounced out of danger.

That set the stage for a dramatic conclusion.

Just minutes before the final whistle, Herediano's Ismael Gomez was taken down in the Galaxy area and a penalty kick awarded. The 29-year-old Argentinean took the resulting spot kick, but the crossbar intervened once again, dictating the scoreless draw.