Los Angeles (6-8-5) at Chivas USA (6-8-4)

Just two months ago, the Los Angeles Galaxy were in first place and appeared to be a force in the Western Conference. A seven-game winless streak has certainly changed that, and now they’re searching for a new general manager and coach.

The Galaxy hope a shakeup can help provide some motivation Thursday night when they meet crosstown rival CD Chivas USA in the Super Clasico.

The Galaxy (6-8-5) remained at the top of the conference by winning 3-0 at San Jose on June 14, capping a 4-1-0 stretch. However, they’ve followed that impressive run by going 0-4-3, including a surprising 3-2 loss to the league-worst Earthquakes on Aug. 3 to fall to fourth in the West.

That was enough for general manager Alexi Lalas to get fired on Monday, while coach Ruud Gullit resigned due to personal reasons, citing his family’s struggle to adjust to life in Los Angeles.

“We are stepping up and doing what we need to do to straighten this thing out,” Galaxy investor/operator Tim Leiweke said. “The fact is, the players have to look deep inside themselves and understand they have to be responsible for some of this.

“Am I angry we find ourselves in the situation we find ourselves in? Yes. This is not a fun week. The Galaxy hasn’t made the playoffs for a couple years. Punting on this season is not acceptable. It starts Thursday.”

Gullit will be replaced by assistant Cobi Jones on an interim basis, while Leiweke decides the direction of the club.

Jones is in his first year as a coach after retiring this past offseason following a stellar 12-year MLS career. He was an original member of the Galaxy and ranks as their leader in games (306), goals (70) and assists (91) while helping the team to two MLS Cups and a pair of U.S. Open Cup titles. Jones also played in a record 164 games for the United States national team.

One area the former offensive star will have to address is the defensive end. Los Angeles ranks last in the league in goals allowed with 40 - eight more than the next team (D.C.).

Offensively, the Galaxy lead MLS with 38 goals with Landon Donovan tying Dallas’ Kenny Cooper as the league’s top scorer with 13. Edson Buddle - Donovan’s partner at forward - has 12 goals, while David Beckham is second with eight assists—two shy of Guillermo Barros Schelotto of Columbus.

Los Angeles will be looking to take the season series with Chivas USA (6-8-4) after beating it 5-2 on April 26 and playing to a 1-1 tie on July 10.

Chivas is searching for only its second win in seven overall games (1-3-2), which includes a 1-1-1 record in SuperLiga play. The club hasn’t won an MLS game since a 1-0 victory over San Jose on July 5. Its poor stretch continued Saturday, as it failed to rally from a three-goal deficit and lost 3-2 at Kansas City.

Chivas hopes to have Ante Razov back in the lineup after he sat out two games with a knee sprain. The forward, who has four goals and two assists, is listed as probable. He’s the league’s second all-time leading scorer with 113 goals.