It’s hot, a long, lazy Labor Day weekend approaches and I’m feeling about as motivated as Carlos Ruiz in his second Galaxy stint.

The Galaxy and Chivas USA both have the weekend off, but an important World Cup qualifying weekend looms nonetheless and the Home Depot Center won’t be completely devoid of activity..

Here’s what else is happening:

*FIFA has released its new monthly rankings today with Mexico rising fast after the win over the U.S., although the Americans remain tops in CONCACAF.

*Here’s the current CONCACAF WCQ standings and schedule ahead of this week’s games.

*The Galaxy’s Landon Donovan and Chivas USA’s Jonathan Bornstein are in Utah where the U.S. plays El Savador Saturday (5 p.m. ESPN Classic) and then flies to Trinidad & Tobago for a second World Cup qualifier Wednesday (4 p.m. ESPN Classic). New Galaxy midfielder Chris Birchall is in the squad for T&T squad, which also plays Honduras Saturday. Update from the Galaxy blog (which also has good news about Edson Buddle and Sean Franklin: “Chris Birchall was removed from the Trinidad and Tobago squad for their upcoming qualifiers in Honduras and at home to the U.S. because of nagging hamstring injury that was exacerbated over the weekend. He has elected to remain in Los Angeles to get treatment from the Galaxy training staff in an attempt to be ready to play against FC Dallas on the 12th.”

*David Beckham is on national team duty for England, which plays a friendly against Slovenia Saturday (9:30 a.m. Fox Soccer Channel) and a WCQ against Croatia Wednesday. An England win would clinch a spot in South Africa.

*Closer to home, the Cal State Dominguez Hills men and women both won Tuesday, while the Cal State Northridge men lost 2-0 to San Diego in their season opener.

*Finally, former Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid and his Seattle Sounders clash with D.C. United today in the final of the oft-overlooked U.S. Open Cup (4:30 p.m. FSC) where both teams have exchanged opposing views on who should host the game, never mind win it. Hey, this is a tournament that needs all the heightened awareness/trash-talking/controversy it can get.