Well, OK, not really. However, he is in an interesting situation heading into Sunday's game ... when something has to give.

Jaqua has accumulated four yellow cards this season, which means that if he picks up another against Colorado on Sunday he will have to sit out the Sounders’ next league match.

However, because Jaqua hasn’t picked up any yellow cards over his last two games, one card will be deducted from his record if he makes it three straight on Sunday.

As an added drama, that next game is probably especially meaningful to Jaqua because the opponent will be Hounton -- not only the current Western Division leader but also the team that made him available to Seattle in the expansion draft.

That presents Jaqua with a balancing act Sunday: Play smart but not soft.

“I’ll try to stay off the ground as much as possible,” he said. “Sometimes when I go down I get in a little late just because it takes me a while to get down. As a forward, there are certain situations where I need to, but for the most part I don’t need to be tackling. I’m not like a center back where I have to go in on those. It’s almost better if I stay in front of him and hold him in on those. I’ll try not to commit to the ones I’m unsure about; but for stuff in the air, you can’t let it get in your head. I’ve got to try to win those 50-50s.”

The Sounders are off the practice pitch for the final time before tomorrow's big game against Colorado.

It was a beautiful day for practice, and lots of kids from youth teams and their parents watched the Sounders conclude their otherwise closed practice and then seemed to have fun getting autographs after.

As for the team, the only real news is the apparent improvement of Sebastien Le Toux's ankle injury to the point where he seems probable. Coach Sigi Schmid indicated that Steve Zakuani is improving, but likely will be a gameday decision.

Here's a quick early scouting report:

COLORADO RAPIDS (5-2-6, 21 pts.)
AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC (5-3-7, 22 pts.)
1 p.m. Sunday, Qwest Field.

TV: KONG 6/16.
Radio: 97.3 FM (in Spanish on 1210 AM).

Head to head: The Sounders and Rapids played to a 2-2 draw May 23 in Colorado. Three days later, the Sounders beat the Rapids, 1-0, in a U.S. Open Cup play-in game in Tukwila.

Team leaders: For Colorado -- G 8 Conor Casey; A 6 Omar Cummings; Sh 38 Casey; SOG 15 Casey; GAA 1.11 Matt Pickens. For Seattle – G 7 Fredy Montero; A 4 Montero/Nate Jaqua; Sh 47 Montero; SOG 17 Montero; GAA 0.90 Kasey Keller.

Schmid says: “Cummings is on a very good roll for them; he’s scoring goals, he’s playing with a lot of confidence, so he’s somebody we got to be concerned about. (Colin) Clark has played well. … They’re a team that’s very confident. They haven’t lost many games in league, and its going to be a difficult opponent.”

Notes: A Colorado victory would send the Rapids past Seattle into third place the MLS Western Conference standings. … Conor Casey will miss this game due to duty with the U.S. National Team. … Colorado leads MLS with an average of 1.62 goals per game. ... The Rapids are on a franchise-best eight-game unbeaten streak (3-0-5). … Seattle is 4-1-3 at home; Colorado is 2-2-3 on the road, including a 1-1 draw at Dallas on Wednesday. … Former USL Sounder Preston Burpo is Colorado’s reserve keeper. He’s played in four games with a 1.25 goals-against average. … The first half of the Confederations Cup final between USA and Brazil will be shown live on the Qwest Field video boards. Then second half will be shown after the MLS game. … Despite a newly expanded 32,400-seat configuration, the game is sold out.

Next: 7 p.m. Wednesday, U.S. Open Cup third-round match vs. Portland Timbers, PGE Park, Portland.

It's Saturday, but it's not gameday.

So, a few Sounders notes to pass the time.

Here's my story from today's TNT taking a look at the Sounders as the hottest ticket in U.S. soccer, which has led to their expanded seating configuration starting Sunday at Qwest.

The Sounders popularity also is reflected in a note I received from the Gorilla FC supporters group, reporting that another bus has been added to their trip down to Portland on Wednesday to see the Sounders-Timbers U.S. Open Cup match. Cost for a seat on the bus and a ticket to the match is $42. You can reserve your spot or get more information by e-mailing gorillafc@gmail.com.

Also, for those attending the Rapids-Sounders game, this note from the club:

The Seattle Sounders FC and 770 KTTH invite all fans to participate in a soccer ball drive during the match on Sunday, June 28 at Qwest Field.

Fans are encouraged to donate soccer balls, which will be collected by U.S. soldiers and distributed to the children of Iraq on behalf of the “Kick for Nick Foundation”, a non-profit organization named in honor of Private Nicolas Madaras (Ma-DARE-as), whose love for soccer and the children of Iraq lives on through this foundation.

Soccer balls and donations will be accepted at the Qwest Field gates. All donations go directly to purchase soccer balls, pumps, and packaging materials.

Finally, the Sounders have their final pregame training session this morning. So, I should have a few more pregame notes here this afternoon.

Till then...