GALAXY VS. REAL SALT LAKE.

Time: 7:30 p.m., Home Depot Center.

TV/Radio: FSN West; CASH 1700-AM, KMXE 830-AM.

Real Salt Lake update: Real Salt Lake (3-8-4) is coming off a 0-0 tie against Chivas USA and hasn't won since a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on June 3, but it will be boosted by the return of U.S. national team defender Eddie Pope (who has been out with a strained lower back) and midfielder Corey Talley (yellow-card accumulation). Talley leads the team with five assists.

The highlight of the season was a 3-0 win over the Galaxy on May 13 at Home Depot Center. It ended a 19-game winless streak on the road.

Galaxy update: Los Angeles has not allowed a goal in its past three games and finally climbed out of the cellar in the Western Conference. Its recovery is due in part to new coach Frank Yallop, who took over for Steve Sampson in early June, but mostly because of the return of Landon Donovan from the World Cup. Donovan has three goals in two games, including the winner in last Saturday's 1-0 decision against New York. The Galaxy is tied with Columbus for the fewest goals scored this season (13).

- Larry Morgan

Chivas USA at HOUSTON

When: 2 p.m., Robertson Stadium, Houston.

TV/Radio: ESPN2, 1020-AM.

Chivas USA (6-5-5, 23 points) update: Only one team in the Western Conference has been hotter than Chivas in recent weeks. A six-game unbeaten streak includes a 3-0 win against Western Conference frontrunner FC Dallas at the Home Depot Center, and continued Tuesday with a scoreless tie at fellow 2005 expansion entry Real Salt Lake.

Houston Dynamo (6-3-6, 24 points) update: Yes, this is the only team that has been hotter than Chivas, sporting a seven-game unbeaten streak. The former San Jose Earthquakes are 5-2-1 at home, with two of the most dangerous players in MLS in midfielder Dwayne DeRosario and forward Brian Ching.

-- Matt Zimmerman