Three Questions: New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders

In preparation for the New York Red Bulls' visit to face the Seattle Sounders in newly-renamed Century Link Field, we swapped some questions with our friends at SB Nation's Sounder at Heart. You can find our answers to their questions here.

Once A Metro: Fredy Montero has had an up-and-down third season in Seattle. Do you think that his wonderful, free-kick winner against Toronto indicates that the Colombian has finally overcome his consistency problems or was it just a flash of brilliance that will frustrate Sounder supporters - and Sigi Schmid - when his woes return?

Sounder at Heart: I think Sounders supporters will always be frustrated with Montero. As a forward who was left up top as a tactical decision he gets slammed with the lazy tag. It is actually just lazy analysis. Fredy can do amazing things. In any game there is going to be a few different five minute stretches where he looks like he belongs in better leagues, in top leagues. But those moments don't last, and that's why he's in MLS. He is still an amazing talent to watch, and probably a bit misunderstood when seen as just a striker.

He's more that that. He's a playmaker and scorer at the same time. He picks up the ball in deep spaces, and ideally dribbles past one, passes out to the wing gets the return, feints and shoots. He can also thread the ball or create with a flick of the toe. Has his scoring been unlocked? Maybe not. He's still got three goals and four assists on the year. That's pretty decent.

OAM: Adrian Hanauer recently stated, "I don't think it's been an atrocious half season, but it hasn't quite been what we would've hoped." Would you agree with this sentiment about this year and do you think that Seattle will improve or decline in the second segment of the season?

S@H: That's probably right. Seattle has been merely decent, maybe better than average, but not good. We expected good. The fanbase wanted a run at all three major trophies, but now probably only two are possible (US Open Cup, MLS Cup). Still, that's a decent season, and likely to get better. O'Brian White will be coming back (3-4 weeks) and he looked finally recovered from his knee issues in Toronto. On top of that Seattle will add 1 or 2 significant pieces, one a DP. There will likely be a shift in the Reserves as well because they continue to trial guys who seem to have higher upside than we are seeing down there. The Sounders should hit 55 points on the season, and may even push for 60. All that while making a run in the CCL and the US Open Cup. They are still the talented side that was a pre-season favorite, and will be adding to that.

OAM: Finally, what adjustments to the back-line will Schmid have to make with Jhon Kennedy Hurtado suspended?

S@H: Normally I would say that it would be a simple injection of Patrick Ianni. But he didn't even travel to Toronto. Sigi said on Tuesday that it was because Zach Scott earned the trip through solid performances in practice and with the Reserves. So now it is up in the air. A guy that has a history of being a solid starting CB or the seasoned lower division vet who is clearly performing above his expected level and has been all year. At this point I kind of expect to see Scott because he's one of those physical/borderline players that annoys the crap out of attacking players.