[MLS PREVIEW] These teams are at opposite ends of the Western Conference, yet both lost excruciating penalty-kick tiebreakers to Pachuca in the SuperLiga, so how different can they be? Well, a lot. They haven't played since a 0-0 tie at Robertson Stadium way back on April 8; so much has happened since.

LOS ANGELES (4-12-5) vs. HOUSTON (12-7-6)
Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, Direct Kick

Houston goes back on the road after rolling through a four-game homestand unbeaten, but it showed signs of fatigue last weekend by roaring out to a 4-1 lead against RSL and then hanging on to win, 4-3, thanks to a Nate Jaqua hat trick. All three goals came on Corey Ashe assists and his speed on the left side is yet another headache for opponents already dizzied by the Dynamo pace.

Dwayne DeRosario played for Canada Wednesday - scoring the equalizer in a 1-1 tie -- so his energy level may be somewhat depleted. His 60-yard run and feed to Joseph Ngwenya two weeks ago in a 1-1 tie with Kansas City is typical of his gamebreaking potential.

Forward Brian Ching is still bothered by a calf strain but Jaqua's excellent form mitigates that issue somewhat, and Ashe's speed will force extra defensive work out of the Galaxy midfield.

Los Angeles fluffed a slew of chances in losing to Chivas USA, 3-0, Thursday. So it goes.