Soccer: All Whites held to scoreless draw with Chivas

The All Whites have been held to a scoreless draw by MLS club side Chivas USA in Los Angeles. Photo / Getty Images.

The All Whites have drawn their second training match on tour with a goalless stalemate against Chivas USA as New Zealand prepare for their international with Trinidad and Tobago next week.

The match was played in scorching conditions at the home of the MLS franchise before a large gallery of interested Mexican media following their 2-1 win over Panama the night before.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert, who viewed the qualifying match in live at the Estadio Azteca, was pleased with their performance despite their inability to score against Chivas, who finished bottom of the MLS Western Conference this year.

"It was good to take another step up today, this time against MLS opposition as we build up to the match with Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday," said Herbert.

"We wanted to use the exercise as an opportunity to try some tactical variations we might employ during the away leg in November."

New Zealand once again deployed the defensive trio of captain Winston Reid, Andrew Durante and Tommy Smith, while Tamati Williams was given an opportunity between the posts with incumbent custodian Glen Moss rested with a foot injury.

"We had a few injuries today which provided an opportunity for others to stand up," said Herbert.

Rory Fallon led the front line with Jeremy Brockie and Kosta Barbarouses flanking him and the front three linked well throughout the match.

Chivas USA squandered the opportunity to break the deadlock when they blasted a second half penalty over the bar, while Fallon went closest for the All Whites when his powerful header was well saved by the opposition 'keeper.

The All Whites will then jet out for Port of Spain and the clash with the 85th ranked Soca Warriors in Port of Spain on October 15 with Herbert excited by the prospect.

"We've got a lot of respect for Trinidad and Tobago, we saw them in Saudi Arabia last month and they're a very good side. More importantly, it's CONCACAF opposition on their home soil and we'll be able to see how we go travelling in a couple days before the match."