Sounders FC not tough enough in home loss to Dallas

TUKWILA — Sounders FC players had difficulty hitting the back of the net in a shutout home loss to FC Dallas. They didn't, however, have trouble hitting the Qwest Field turf, especially in a rough-and-tumble second half.

Dallas committed 12 fouls on a wet Wednesday night — Seattle had just four — but in many instances referee Baldomero Toledo's whistle stayed silent.

Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid thought his team should have been tougher against the physical-minded visitors.

"Toledo, as a referee, lets the game go," Schmid said after the game. "You're not going to get fouls from flopping around the field. You've got to stand. You've got to man up, you've got to be strong, and you've got to play through it. ... We can't expect that we're going to get the call."

While forward Fredy Montero took the brunt of the postgame blame for the team's lack of goals, another designated player, Alvaro Fernandez, was singled out Thursday for soft play.

"Once referees think you're going down easily, you don't get calls," Schmid said. "He's got to stay on his feet a little bit more and get the referees to go into games thinking differently about him. And then he'll get more of those calls when he's legitimately fouled. There were two fouls early in the game that definitely deserved calls, but once you have a reputation of going down easily, then (the referees) go into games thinking that."

Not being strong enough on the ball was just one of several frustrations resulting from a disappointing home loss. Goalkeeper Kasey Kelley said he didn't want to talk to reporters Wednesday night for fear he might "go emotional and flip out."

Facing a difficult road game Saturday at Real Salt Lake on short rest will only further test Sounders FC.

"It's just one of those where you have to stay steady," said defender James Riley. "We're going into Salt Lake and it's a new day, a new game. We're going in to get points so we can't dwell on the past too much."

Added Keller: "We have to now step up our game and go."

Evans to return

Sounders FC is 3-1-2 this season when midfielder Brad Evans has played a full game. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old has been hampered by three separate injuries.

Evans, who is recovering from an adductor strain suffered in a May 14 game against Portland, might have been able to play Wednesday, but Schmid decided against risking it. Evans will be available Saturday after missing two games, but whether he'll start is still undetermined.

"I feel good. ... No ill effects or anything like that," he said.

Notes

• Fernandez will not join Uruguay's national team for an international friendly Sunday against Germany, Schmid said. The midfielder was included in a preliminary 23-man roster, but didn't make the final 20-man squad, according to the coach.

• When Keller was asked if a 0.92 goals-against average has him reconsidering retirement, he said, "No, no. Like I said, I'm just happy that things are good on that side. I just want to keep it on that side for the whole year and be able to finish up and say, 'That was a good final season.' "

Joshua Mayers: 206-464-3184 or jmayers@seattletimes.com