GALAXY VS. DALLAS.

Byline: Scott French

Time: 7:30 p.m., at the Rose Bowl.

TV/Radio: None; KTNQ-AM (1020-Spanish).

Series: Galaxy leads, 7-6 (2-1 vs. Dallas in '98, with 4-1 and 8-1 wins and a 3-0 loss).

Galaxy (20-7, 58 points) update: L.A. will clinch the Western Conference title tonight if it wins in regulation and Chicago fails to do so against Miami. Any combination of Galaxy wins and Fire losses/shootout wins adding to five points will do the trick. . . . L.A. is coming off a lethargic performance in Saturday's 3-0 loss to Columbus, which snapped a four-game winning streak. The team's previous loss was another 3-0 decision, in Dallas. . . . L.A. scored an MLS-record eight goals against the Burn on June 4. . . . Paul Caligiuri, who missed Saturday's loss with a groin strain, could be back at right back tonight. Ezra Hendrickson, who had been on the bench all but one of the previous six games after starting 17 of 18, took his place. Left back Greg Vanney also returned to the lineup, taking over for rookie Joe Franchino, who had started four in a row.

Burn (13-14, 31 points) update: Dallas is missing three of its most important players tonight, with defender Chad Deering serving a one-game suspension after picking up a red card in Saturday's 2-0 win over New York/New Jersey and midfielder Jason Kreis on a one-match ban for accumulation of yellow cards. Even worse, veteran midfielder Mark Santel is out four to six weeks after suffering a fractured right fibula in training Monday. . . . The Burn needs a victory more than the Galaxy does. Dallas, in a battle with Colorado and Kansas City for two playoff berths, is fourth in the Western Conference, one point behind the Rapids and two ahead of the Wizards with five games to play. K.C. visits Colorado tonight.