JOBS AT STAKE FOR SKIDDING GALAXY.

Byline: Larry Morgan Staff Writer

CARSON - Chivas USA's inaugural season in Major League Soccer was a lost cause some time ago, but now it's the Galaxy wallowing in mediocrity.

It once owned the league's best record, but the perennial Western Conference power has won only one of its past 10 regular-season games. It also remains winless in 19 games MLS away from Home Depot Center, a dubious streak that has spawned new demands to produce or else.

That was the message team president and general manager Doug Hamilton had for coach Steve Sampson, his coaches and players in the wake of last Saturday's listless 2-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids in Denver.

The Galaxy (8-8-5, 29 points) takes on Chivas USA (3-15-3, 12 points) tonight at 7 at the Coliseum in the first game of a doubleheader. The second game, at 9, pits Chivas USA's parent club, Club Deportivo Guadalajara, against its ``super clasico'' rival Club America. A crowd of at least 50,000 is anticipated.

The opportunity for a ``road win'' - Chivas USA is the home team tonight - is ample. The Galaxy has beaten their HDC rival all four meetings, including last week's U.S. Open Cup showdown.

``We have this calmness about us that things are going to get better,'' Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman said. ``But, unfortunately, we need to hit the panic button.''

Sampson said Galaxy coaches and players have been warned ``from the top down'' that jobs are at stake.

``We're looking to see who cares now ...,'' he said. ``This is more than a 'clasico.' This is a game that has enormous meaning for us.''

The Galaxy was dumbfounded by its performance in the loss to Colorado.

``It appeared to me,'' Sampson said, ``that we felt like, 'Let's get on to the next match.' That's not acceptable. We're down 2-0, and I want to see guys fight to the last second.''

Changes are in store, starting with the backline. Rookies Ugo Ihemelu and Troy Roberts, pressed into duty because of recent injuries to veteran Tyrone Marshall (questionable with a hamstring strain) and various national-team commitments, will go to the bench in favor of Pablo Chinchilla and Michael Umana.

``They deserve the opportunity,'' Sampson said. ``They're two (Costa Rican) internationals, and they have a very good understanding of each other.''

Larry Morgan, [phone], Ext. 2272

larry.morgan(at)sgvn.com