Just minutes after the Sounders 4-0 loss at San Jose on Sunday, veteran goalkeeper Kasey Keller was asked about this week's international friendly against FC Barcelona.

“I’d like to say it’s going to be a nice game Wednesday against Barcelona, but for me that game is a pain in the (butt),” Keller said. “It’s all right: We’ll go do a professional job, have a good game against Barcelona and be ready to play the next weekend.”

I've written more about this for the Tuesday paper, because Keller never said anything quite like that in the days leading up to the Chelsea game. But things were different then.

Simply as a matter of timing, the Chelsea game came during a bye week in the MLS schedule -- therefore a week before and a week after league games.

For another thing, the Sounders were feeling a better about themselves back then. They entered that Chelsea game on a three-game league winning streak, and a six-game non-losing streak.

Now, in the two league games since the 2-0 loss to Chelsea, the Sounders haven’t scored a goal while going 0-1-1.

So, Keller believes his team had better devote full concentration to its return to regular-season play Saturday at Salt Lake.

“I could care less about Wednesday, to be honest,” Keller said. “Yeah, it’s a great occasion for the fans, and for the guys. For me, personally, I would much rather have a good hard week of training and get ready for the league game. For the fans, for the ownership group, for some of the guys, it’s a fantastic experience and atmosphere. I think we just have to go into that game like it’s a hard training session. Hopefully, we don’t get any injuries and we come out of it ready for next weekend.”

On the other hand, Barcelona’s visit seems to have excited Northwest soccer fans even more than Chelsea’s. While there were almost 2,000 unsold seats for the Blues 2-0 win over the Sounders, the last of the Barcelona tickets disappeared last week.

Today, the Sounders put out a release advising fans to arrive early (the gates of Qwest Field will open two hours before the 7:30 p.m. kickoff) and to consider mass transit.

In the wake of a 6-0 loss to Dallas over the weekend, the Kansas City Wizards announced today that the team has dismissed Head Coach Curt Onalfo.

More information from the Wizards website.

FC Barcelona is coming off an unprecidented treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League -- and all three massive pieces of hardware were on display today as Barca held a press conference in downtown Seattle.

With Barcelona about to play a Wednesday friendly against the Sounders as part of their preparation for a new season, former Sounders and Tacoma Stars coach Alan Hinton asked FCB manager Pep Guardiola what he can do for an encore.

“I don’t know,” Guardiola said. “We’re gooing to try day by day, game by game. Try to not forget last season but remember the reason why (we did so well).”

Also during the press conference, Barca star Thierry Henry was asked about the rumors that he had been contacted last year by the Sounders about coming to MLS as their designated player. Henry responded with what was apparently a joke that, yes, the rumors must have been true because here he was in Seattle.

In a follow up question, Henry did not close to door to ever joining MLS, but he said his current attentions are with his current team.

And finally, Tacoma glass artist Dale Chihuly -- unfailing referred to in news releases as Seattle glass artist Dale Chihuly -- unveiled a commemorative piece of art in celebration of Barcelona’s visit. The glass work, which features the Barcelona crest, will be auctioned online at www.MLSnet.com through Aug. 31. Proceeds will be split evenly between UNICEF and the FC Barcelona Foundation.

As mentioned, the Sounders weren't happy about anything that happened on the pitch Sunday at San Jose.

("If you can point out who played well, feel free," coach Sigi Schmid told me at one point.)

However, the team was mighty impressed with those 200-or-so Sounders' fans, who chanted, sang and cheered for the full 90 in the northwest corner of that rickety little stadium.

"They kept it going," Schmid said. "They were great. That’s why I was a little disappointed that not more of the players went over there at the conclusion of the game. But I know myself and (Brad Evans and Patrick Ianni) went over there. We appreciate their support and being able to stay behind us."

Sebastien Le Toux went over too, hands raised, applauding the efforts of those traveling Sounders' supporters.

"It is a tribute to our supporters even if we did a very bad game today," Le Toux said. "We need to support them too, because they were really behind us."