FC Dallas (6-11-6) at Galaxy (9-4-11)
A cool and clear night at Home Depot Center, a welcome relief after the humidity and smoke of recent weeks.
The Galaxy have a chance to (temporarily at least) overhaul Houston for the Western Conference lead coming into the game.
The omens are good: the Galaxy have one loss in their last 10 games, haven't conceded a goal in 216 minutes and play a Dallas team that has just one road win all season.
The first Galaxy game in two weeks sees Coach Bruce Arena field the same lineup for the third straight game: Donovan Ricketts, A.J.DeLaGarza, Gregg Berhalter, Omar Gonzalez, Todd Dunivant, Stefani Miglioranzi, Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Eddie Lewis, Jovan Kirovski, Mike Magee.
In another welcome sign, Edson Buddle is on the bench and presumably could see action for the first time since the 2-2 draw with AC Milan on July 19. Alecko Eskandarian, in case you missed the news earlier, is out for the rest of the regular season with a broken nose/concussion.
Dallas has former Galaxy defender Ugo Ihemelu starting in defense, who will make his second start since his trade from Colorado. Another new signing, former Galaxy defender Daniel Hernandez, is on the bench.
The game is delayed on TV until 10 p.m. so stick around for updates as the game unfolds.
Jeff Cunningham, tied for second in the MLS scoring race with 10 goals, starts up front for Dallas along with Marvin Chavez.
Updated: Galaxy exec Tom Payne presented former Torrance resident Hans Stierle with a Galaxy jersey before the game. Stierle, who is back in the South Bay to be recognized by the Torrance City Council Tuesday, is regarded as the father of AYSO, which began in that city 45 years ago.
About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
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