(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images for New York Red Bull)
Gonzalez, a 28-year-old Costa Rican international with 59 caps, is big, fast, and left-footed with a reputation as a deft attacker out of the left back and midfield. Called to national duty, he won't be ready until the Tico's are out of the Gold Cup which figures to be late. But even available in late August, he could be the fix for the only glaring hole in Sigi's lineup.
4) Can they win away from the fortress?
SSFC supporters should be proud. In their first season Seattle has rapidly become the most feared place to visit in the MLS. The Sounders clearly feed off that energy and have the second highest goals for/against ratio at home.
You can't play every game at home though, and the second half sees eight of their final 14 matches away including a long three game road trip. In addition to leaving the comfy confines of Qwest Field, longtime Seattle fans know what the road does to Pacific Northwest teams.
Having to travel further than every other team in the league takes its toll on every athlete, and so far the Sounders haven't had to deal with the oppressive summer heat that some MLS venues offer.
If the Sounders want to be playing into November, they'll have to pick up points on the road.
5) Can Nate Jaqua avoid distraction?
Unfortunately off the field problems have been a major part of the story thus far. First Montero was charged with a sexual assault and eventually exonerated, but this week Fredy's fellow forward was slapped with a lawsuit over an alleged sex crime as well.
It's too early to speak to the merits of the case but Jaqua denies the charges and seems supported by his family and the team.
Jaqua fills what is becoming the prototype striker role in a physical MLS. His size draws attention for a team that generates a large number of corner opportunities, and though he sometimes brings his lead shoes, Jaqua holds the ball up well and appears to be building a good working relationship with Montero and Ljungberg connecting on a number of clever plays in the last couple weeks.
If he can keep his head in the game, he presents a number of problems for the back line of almost any team.
6) Will bookings continue to be a problem?
The occasional infraction is a part of the game. No aggressive player can completely avoid seeing yellow. But the run of losses and draws seen this season also saw a spate of red cards leaving the Sounders without important players at times.
Some of it is dumb luck. Keller getting called for a handball is a once in a career fluke. Montero got his arm up with incidental contact but it's a point of league emphasis. There have also been serious mental lapses with cards for fighting and dissent.
A team meeting set to focus on things other than the officiating seems to have worked, but Ljungberg in particular continues to argue calls. With attacks typically beginning or ending at Ljungberg's feet, it seems foolish to risk losing him for a match down the stretch because of a call he felt should go the other way.
It's a rare day when a good yelling changed a referree's mind...let it go Fred. Let it go.
In all SSFC has a number of things going for it that make it a dangerous side. They probably won't be winning a lot of matches 1-0. This is a team that has a lot of offensive weapons, an aggressive strategy, which means lots of goals all around.
They have talented reserves anchored by a core from the USL Sounders like fan favorite Sebastian Le Toux and Roger Levesque.
If they answer these questions, continue to create opportunities and a bit of luck, this is a team that could see itself playing for the MLS Cup in front of 60,000 of its fans at home.
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