GALAXY TONIGHT

Opponent--Dallas Burn.

Site--Rose Bowl.

Time--7:30.

Radio--KTNQ (1020).

Records--Galaxy 13-16; Burn 15-14.

Record vs. Burn--2-1.

Galaxy update--A victory tonight would clinch a playoff berth for the Galaxy, which defeated the Burn, 3-1, in Dallas last Sunday, playing without midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos or defender Paul Caligiuri. Both players return for tonight’s game. “We really controlled the game from the start,” interim Coach Octavio Zambrano said. Harut Karapetyan, Danny Pena and Cobi Jones scored for the Galaxy. The only team standing between Los Angeles and the playoffs is the San Jose Clash, which defeated the Colorado Rapids, 2-1, Wednesday night. To make the playoffs, the Clash will have to win both of its remaining two games in regulation and the Galaxy will have to lose all three of its final games. The teams play each other Sunday at San Jose.

Burn update--The Kansas City Wizards and the Burn already have clinched playoff spots in the Western Conference, but Dallas is trying to hold onto second place and the home-field advantage in postseason play. In the best-of-three playoff series, starting Oct. 2, the first- and second-place teams will play two out of the three at home. The conference champion plays the fourth-place team and No. 2 plays No. 3. Dallas’ 7-7 record on the road is third-best in the league. Coach Dave Dir said the heat at the Cotton Bowl was partly to blame for the Burn’s loss to the Galaxy on Sunday. “We totally ran out of gas,” Dir told the Dallas Morning News. Dallas already has advanced to the U.S. Open Cup final and will play Washington D.C. United in the championship game Oct. 29 at Indianapolis.