The Sounders are off the practice pitch for another day.

Fredy Montero and Freddy Ljungberg both took part, and unless either has some sort of setback it appears they'll both be ready to go Saturday when the Kansas City Wizards visit.

Coach Sigi Schmid isn't yet sure -- or at least willing to say -- how both will work into the starting lineup. Ljungberg missed Game 1 while still recovering from his hip surgery. Then he came off the bench in Game 2 for Steve Zakuani at midfield. Then he started Game 3 at forward in place of Montero, who stayed home due to illness. So, Saturday might be the first time they each start, and if so, of course, some other starter needs to come out of the lineup.

Not much other news today, although the practice was fun to watch as the Sounders went though a drill using four goals: one on each touchline at midfield, and one at the top of each penalty area. That creates a small field in which everyone needs to be ready to score instantly or defend a shot instantly.

"I like it; it’s fun," Schmid said. "It’s a good game because you’re in front of goal all the time. So it’s good for the goalkeepers. It’s good for the defenders because they’re always forced to defend. You got to be alert because any time it comes in front of your goal. It’s also good for spacing, getting guys as I think they went on in the game they got better about staying away from each other, connecting passes. It’s also good for finishing because you get guys in front of goal a lot. You get crosses. You get opportunities to turn and shoot. And you also got to be able to understand when it’s shutdown at one place and you got to go to the other goal. So it’s good for a lot of things, but it’s also a fun game. The way we do it we always change touch restriction every time you score, so it makes you always have to think: Am I playing unlimited now? Am I playing one touch? What are they playing? I can pressure them now. Different things like that. And the key to the game is if you can get your one touch goal quickly, you usually win, and that’s what the blue team did.”

You may recall the blog discussion a few posts down about whether the Sounders impressive start should raise their goals all the way to Supports Shield and MLS Cup.

So, after our discussion, I ran the idea past coach Sigi Schmid on Tuesday. And while he didn't even hint that this team doesn't have the potential to accomplish those kinds of things, his bottom line is that for now he just wants his team focused on the original goal of the playoffs.

Here's that story from today's paper.