Updated

FC Dallas has the longest winless streak in MLS history within reach, but coach Schellas Hyndman is not in panic mode yet.

Dallas last won April 14, and it takes a 12-game winless run into its fixture Saturday at FC Dallas Stadium against the San Jose Earthquakes - who have the top record in the league.

Just six matches from the longest winless drought in history, which Real Salt Lake set over the 2005-06 seasons at 18 matches, Dallas is last in the Western Conference.

Dallas (3-9-6) has tied five of its matches during the streak, and it settled for a 1-1 tie last week against Toronto FC. Afterward Hyndman thought his side deserved better, and it needed to remain positive.

"I said to the players after the game, 'There's no reason to hang your head. You gave everything you had.' It's not what we wanted, but it wasn't through a lack of effort on their part," Hyndman said.

A tie against Toronto might not look good on paper, but TFC has played well in its last five matches. Still, Dallas needs to get a win to break its drought.

The best news from Wednesday against Toronto was that David Ferreira, the 2010 MLS MVP, returned to the field following a long break due to injury.

"Great to have him back. There was excitement from our players to see him on the field," Hyndman said. "He was giving a lot of penetrating balls that were causing a lot of problems.

"That's what we've been missing."

Injuries have hurt Dallas this year, but if Ferreira can regain form, there is enough talent for Hyndman to turn the season around.

San Jose (11-4-3) lost to the Portland Timbers on Tuesday, 2-1, on the road as it started a two-game road swing. The Timbers built a two-goal cushion and San Jose could only pull one goal back through Alan Gordon.

With a three-point cushion atop the West, the Earthquakes quickly turned the page to Dallas.

"I don't think we're going to hang our heads on this one, we're going to look to the next game and get the win," Gordon said. "We are a good team with a great attitude.

"We take one game at a time and I feel that this team has something special. You know a lot of teams would hang their head after a loss like this. We just keep our heads looking forward and continue to push."