GALAXY TONIGHT

at San Jose, 7

Channel 9 (8)

Site -- Spartan Stadium.

Radio -- KMPC (1540), KMXE (830, Spanish).

Records -- Galaxy 10-8-8, Earthquakes 9-10-7.

Record vs. Earthquakes -- 2-1-0.

Update -- Carlos Ruiz is more of a poacher than a blue-collar worker when it comes to scoring goals. Still, Coach Steve Sampson said he would stick to his 4-5-1 alignment -- which requires Ruiz to be more active up front -- for what could be the Galaxy’s final regular-season game in San Jose. The Earthquakes are for sale and could be heading to Texas next season.

“Steve hasn’t talked to me about the strategy,” said Ruiz, who is tied for the league lead in goals (11) with Dallas’ Eddie Johnson, San Jose’s Brian Ching and New England’s Pat Noonan. “It’s always difficult when we play at San Jose.”

Sampson concurred, even with the Earthquakes on a three-game losing streak. “We need the wingers to step up to help Carlos ... everybody knows what’s at stake,” said Sampson, 1-2-1 as the Galaxy coach. “A good result is a win or a tie.”

The Earthquakes have won an MLS-record 47 straight matches at home when scoring first, a streak that dates to April 3, 1999.

-- Paul Gutierrez