CARSON — Injuries, international call-ups and overall inconsistency played a role in the Galaxy’s slow start through the first 17 games of the regular season.

However, there’s time on the calendar to regroup. That’s the direction the Galaxy believe they are headed, winners of two consecutive games, including last week’s 1-0 victory at Seattle.

“I would give us a grade of a ‘B-,’” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said of his first-half grade this week from training. “I think we probably could have another five or six points.”

In a competitive Western Conference, the Galaxy have recorded eight consecutive points to move into a tie for third place with Real Salt Lake on 29 points. The Galaxy will look to win a third consecutive game when they host last-place Houston at 8 p.m. Friday at StubHub Center.

One area that has been solid foundation through the myriad of injuries has been the defense. Anchored by goalkeeper Brian Rowe, the Galaxy have allowed just one goal during their current four-game unbeaten streak (2-0-2) and just two goals in their previous six games.

“They’ve played pretty well the entire year,” Arena said of the defense. “We’ve given up the second-least goals per game in the league and we’ve been consistent the whole year. Over the last couple of games, we’ve had a little bit more continuity in the backline, which helps, so we’ve only had to replace generally one guy, which for us is a miracle, so that helps.

Promising for the Galaxy has been their depth, especially on the backline, with the likes of Daniel Steres and Dave Romney filling in as injuries have sidelined Robbie Rogers and Ashley Cole. Romney has started four league games and Steres has 17 appearances, with 16 starts.

“Steres has been real good,” Arena said. “He’s played the most games (19) on our team this year and Romney has been asked to fill in for a couple of guys over the last few weeks and he’s done a very good job as well. It is really encouraging.”

Defender Jelle Van Damme returned the starting lineup last week and said last week’s effort could be a turning point.

“That was to me a typical game on the road,” he said. “We didn’t play the best soccer, but we got a result and ended up coming back with three points.”

Saturday’s victory was the second on the road this season for the Galaxy (2-3-4). The Galaxy won two games on the road last year.

It also doesn’t hurt to have Robbie Keane returning from international duty with Ireland. Keane returned for the July 4 game against Vancouver and has scored one goal in each of the previous two games.

“We’re getting better and better and I have a feeling that as the season goes, with everybody coming together, so I think in general we will be ready for the second half of the season,” Van Damme said.

HOUSTON DYNAMO at L.A. GALAXY

Kickoff: 8 p.m. at StubHub Center

TV/Radio: UniMas; KWKW/1330

Update: The Dynamo (4-8-6) are winless on the road through their first 10 games with three draws. Houston (18 points) fell to last place in the Western Conference after Seattle defeated FC Dallas 5-0 on Thursday. Houston defender DeMarcus Beasley (knee) is out indefinitely. The Galaxy (7-3-8) are undefeated at home with a 5-0-4 record. The Galaxy are undefeated in their previous four games with two draws and two victories (July 4 and last Saturday). The teams met in April with the Galaxy winning 4-1 on goals from Gyasi Zardes, Baggio Husidic and two from Giovanni dos Santos. The Galaxy will be without midfielder Nigel de Jong, who had his suspension extended for a second game following his red card. Ashley Cole (hamstring) will also be unavailable. Dave Romney earned the start last weekend at left-back. Bruce Arena said this week he expected Cole to miss one more game.