[TV PREVIEW] Spoiler is about the only role the Galaxy can play down the stretch as it seeks to salvage some pride at home, where it has won only one of the last five league games. It has lost to Dallas twice (2-1 and 3-1) this season in the pre-Beckham era and hasn't been able to transform its stirring effort in the SuperLiga into league success.

LOS ANGELES (4-13-6) vs. FC DALLAS (12-9-4)
Sunday, 8 p.m., HDNet, Direct Kick

An apparent victory in Salt Lake City Wednesday turned bitter when RSL equalized a minute after Gavin Glinton's goal in the 85th minute provided a 2-1 lead. The 2-2 tie marked only the third occasion since the All-Star break - a run of 11 games - Los Angeles had taken points from a league match.

Dallas is running out of games to catch either Houston or Chivas USA to finish in second place and earn homefield advantage, such as it is, for at least the first round of the playoffs. Coach Steve Morrow is still trying to blend Ricardinho and Denilson into his attacking mix.

It might pay to keep it simple; get the ball to Carlos Ruiz, who has scored three goals in the last two games. Defender Clarence Goodson, whose sharp header was saved before he flicked on a ball Ruiz stuck into net for a stoppage-time equalizer Thursday night against Chicago, earned his fifth caution in that match.

Dallas hasn't earned points on the road since storming back from a three-goal deficit to tie D.C. United, 3-3, July 14. It won't need that strong an effort to take something out of this game.