Ill-disciplined, ill-timed and generally inept, the first half essentially summed up the Galaxy’s season: Dallas scored two consecutive goals in five minutes, Brazilian Alvaro Pires received a straight red for a studs up challenge just before half time and David Beckham earned a yellow card for mouthing off/having one of his increasingly tiresome petulant little meltdowns.

Things had started brightly for the Galaxy.

Eddie Lewis slung a long ball the width of the field over to Beckham and he crossed to Edson Buddle, standing unmarked right in front of the goal, who headed in his 15th of the season.

It was Becks’ first assist since the 5-2 win over Dallas on Sept. 20.

Drew Moor and Victor Sikora scored for Dallas.

The first goal was a gift from Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Wicks, who failed to catch a ball from a corner kick.

The second was presented by the Galaxy defense who froze when confronted by a long ball out of the back from Dallas left back Duilio Davino and allowed Sikora to wander through alone for his first MLS goal.