SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose's Ronnie O'Brien and Houston's Brian Ching scored goals and the Earthquakes and Dynamo played to a 1-1 tie tonight.

Ching is a Kamehameha alum from Hale'iwa.

O'Brien's goal came in the 50th minute, giving San Jose a 1-0 lead. He rocketed a shot from deep on the right side past a diving Pat Onstad and into the net, just inside the left post for his fourth goal of the season.

O'Brien then turned and bowed to the sellout crowd of 10,526, the largest of the Quakes' season. Forward Arturo Alvarez earned the assist on O'Brien's goal.

Ching, a former Earthquake, tied the score in the 71st minute, heading a shot past goalkeeper Joe Cannon. Ching was lurking just in front of the goal when Brian Mullan sent a high cross his way, notching the assist.

Houston, the two-time reigning MLS champion, has 39 points and padded its lead in the Western Conference to eight points over second-place Real Salt Lake.

With 29 points, the Quakes remained in f ourth place, just a point behind third-place Chivas USA.

San Jose increased its unbeaten streak to nine and continued making a push for the playoffs. The Earthquakes haven't lost since July 5, when they fell to Chivas.

Emotions were charged throughout the hard-fought game, filled with physical play, cautions and complaints. Ex-Quakes defender Brian Mullan received a red card in the 86th minute after his second caution for rough play. He headed for the showers, leaving the Dynamo a man short.

The first half ended in a scoreless tie, neither team able to capitalize on its handful of good chances.

In the 16th minute, San Jose's Darren Huckerby unloaded a shot that Onstad deflected directly to Quakes forward Scott Sealy. But Sealy was denied, too.