GALAXY TONIGHT

at Dallas, 5:30, KWHY (Channel 22)

Site -- Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, Texas.

Radio -- 830, 1700.

Records -- Galaxy 10-14-6, FC Dallas 15-11-4.

Record vs. FC Dallas -- 1-1.

Update -- For the Galaxy to remain the only team in MLS to qualify for the playoffs in each year of the league’s existence, three things must happen in the next eight days. First, the Galaxy has to defeat FC Dallas in Frisco tonight and again at the Home Depot Center on Oct. 14. Tonight’s game is more crucial because Dallas has never beaten the Galaxy in Carson. Second, two of these three events must occur: Chivas USA must lose its final two games, the Colorado Rapids must earn no more than two points in their last two games and Real Salt Lake must gain no more than four points in its final two matches. The pressure is on the Galaxy, but its season still could be determined elsewhere. “We’ve been playing under intense pressure for some time now,” said goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who tied Tony Meola’s league record last Saturday by notching his 62nd career shutout in a 3-0 win over Chivas USA. Dallas already has secured a playoff spot but a victory today would mean Coach Colin Clarke’s team will win the Western Conference title and have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, including the championship final, which will be played in Frisco, Texas, on Nov. 12. Dallas will be without injured goalkeeper Dario Sala and forward Roberto Mina, as well as midfielder Ramon Nunez, who is with the Honduras national team for its friendly match today against Guatemala in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

-- Grahame L. Jones