Sounders FC, Montero renew acquaintances with D.C. United

Josh Wicks dug his cleats into Fredy Montero on Sept. 2 after Montero scored a goal in the U.S. Open Cup final in Washington, D.C., and Montero has the scar on his right hip and arm to prove it.

Wicks was issued a red card and ejected after the incident, but has received no suspension for stomping on Montero in that match, won by Montero's Sounders FC 2-1. So Wicks is expected to be in goal when Seattle returns to the site of its greatest triumph of the season, RFK Stadium, tonight for a Major League Soccer regular-season match.

"What's hard is getting on the field and taking on every team," Montero said, dismissing any notion of discomfort seeing Wicks again. "But this game has a special flavor because we went there and got a title, and really they are going to want to beat us while we're trying to get three points and get to the playoffs."

Montero was asked if he feels he deserves an apology from Wicks.

"Well, this guy realizes his mistakes, but we know that soccer is a game of contact and the euphoria that comes from winning a final," Montero said. "If he tells me he's sorry, I'll accept it. But if he doesn't, I don't think we'll have problems."

The postseason is the ultimate goal. But make it or not, Sounders FC will be able to say it won a major title this season and heads into the nation's capital still brimming with confidence from winning the U.S. Open Cup.

"Going back and having to play at D.C. when we just beat them in D.C. makes the game a little tougher than it would have been otherwise," Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid said.

As for Wicks, Schmid cares little whether the goalkeeper is further disciplined.

"If you look at the bruises on Montero, he got bruised pretty good," Schmid said. "But certainly that is something for U.S. Soccer to decide. I know D.C. United came out and said there is going to be an internal punishment. They haven't said what that is yet."

Montero was surprised at what Wicks did. Moments earlier, Montero had run into Wicks and caused a short delay after a save while Wicks was shaken up momentarily. No foul was called on Montero, which could have been part of the motivation for Wicks to snap.

"Really, he didn't give me a chance to try and get out of the way," Montero said. "I simply scored, and when I fell and tried to get up, he surprised me with that strong stomp on my leg and on my arm."

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com