Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Seattle Sounders FC combined for just one shot on target in a scoreless draw to open the second round of the League Cup on Sunday night.
Vancouver, which missed out by eight points last season, and Seattle, 2016 winners, kept things close to their chests at BC Place with neither side willing to take many risks.
The second leg of the two game aggregate series goes on Thursday at Seahawks Stadium.
The Whitecaps, who finished third in the Western Division, were coming off the club's first ever playoff victory — a 5-0 demolition of San Jose Earthquakes in Wednesday’s single elimination knockout round.
The Sounders, meanwhile, won three of their last four to close out the schedule, including a 3-0 home win over Vancouver on September 27, to secure a bye to the second round.
Vancouver made two big changes to the side that thumped San Jose, with crucial offensive pieces Yordy Reyna and Cristian Techera initially forced to the bench after picking up injuries against San Jose.
Reyna came on in the 62nd minute, replacing Nosa Igiebor, who made his first home start for the club, while Techera didn't see action until the 76th minute, when Christian Bolaños was withdrawn.
Thursday's all important second leg will kick off at 7:30 PM in Seattle, with the 'Caps going through on a score draw or better.
If after ninety minutes, the tie remains scoreless, two additional halves of 15 minutes will be played. If the match is still deadlocked, even if both sides score, the second round will be decided by penalty kicks.