GALAXY MUST DO WITHOUT HURTADO.

Byline: Associated Press

Leading scorer Eduardo Hurtado will miss the Galaxy's regular-season finale Sunday because he received his fifth yellow card of the season in the team's last game.

Hurtado was cited for delay of game in the final minute of Thursday night's 2-1 Western Conference title-clinching victory over the Dallas Burn and under league rules, he must miss the team's next match.

Ante Razov or Jose Vasquez will replace Hurtado in the starting lineup for Sunday's rematch against Dallas at the Rose Bowl, coach Lothar Osiander said.

Hurtado leads the Galaxy (18-13) with 21 goals and 49 points. He is tied for second in the league in scoring and goals.

All-star midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos is listed as doubtful for Sunday's match because of a thigh injury suffered Thursday night. Cienfuegos leads the Galaxy with 11 assists and is second in scoring with 21 points. If Cienfuegos can't play, Guillermo Jara will replace him, Osiander said.

The Galaxy also announced Friday that its Western Conference semifinal playoff series would begin Thursday on the road against either the San Jose Clash or Kansas City Wiz.

The second match of the best-of-three series will be held Sunday, Sept. 29, at 4:30 p.m. at the Rose Bowl. A third match, if necessary, would be played Oct. 1 or 2, team president Daniel L. Villanueva said.