BY TODD DYBAS / SEATTLESPORTSONLINE.COM

His hair properly pushed up, Fredy Montero will now take your questions.

Following a hug from owner Joe Roth, Montero was the postgame center of attention once again, thanks to a strike in the 77th minute to seal Sounders FC's 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake Saturday night at Qwest Field.

Those surrounding Montero postgame were much gentler than the crowd he was besieged by on the pitch. Seattle wasn't the only place to take notice of Montero's week one majesty. Word apparently trickled down to Utah.

Real Salt Lake pushed around the flair-footed Montero Saturday night. Montero was kicked, shoved and clipped. Most of the damage being inflicted by Salt Lake's menacing duo of midfielder Kyle Beckerman and hulking defenseman Jamison Olave.

Beckerman leg-whipped Montero to the ground in the first half, drawing a card. Just before the first 45 minutes drew to a close, Olave beared down on Montero, shoving him into the advertising billboards that sit a few feet beyond the sideline.

No translator was initially needed to understand Montero's answer when asked if he noticed an increase in the physical play again him.

"Si," Montero said with emphasis. His translator clarified the rest. "Since the very first ball they showed that they were going to be stronger, more physical."

What is clear thus far is Montero's deft feet are a league- and city-wide phenomenon. A little more than a week since the inaugural game, Montero has found his way onto multiple banners that were occupied by someone or something else inside of Qwest Field.

Despite the revved up harassment, Montero found open space late in the second half. Carrying alone, seemingly out for a Sunday drive, he chose to fire a knuckling shot from 35 yards out that Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando had no answer for. Montero's third goal in two games was a much-needed jolt since Salt Lake carried second-half play.

While Montero was being banged on, top pick Steve Zakuani was operating in space. Getting his first start, his right ankle healed, Zakuani played from the left midfield and exploited his speed on the outside. Salt Lake sucked to the middle leaving the NCAA's leading scorer from a year ago wide left. Zakuani took advantage.

"The way they play with Clint Mathis on my side, he's always tucking in," Zakuani said. "So we knew I'd have a lot of space and get isolated one-on-one."

Zakuani found himself solo against Salt Lake's Tony Beltran in the 17th minute. Tender dribbling allowed Zakuani to pop the ball into the box with the outside of his right toes where Nate Jaqua waited. Jaqua knocked the ball in to put Sounders FC in front, 1-0.

Jaqua's score was under some debate, not for the result, but for the process. Jaqua raised his right leg, the ball redirected by some portion of it.

"I thought it was off my foot," Jaqua said, though some contended it was off his knee. "I thought it was quite graceful. I don't care how I score as long as it goes in the back of the net."

Adding to the ongoing feel-good was the debut of Freddie Ljungberg. Ljungberg received a large hand when he entered in the 61st minute, which he gave back to with clapping of his own.

Once Ljungberg entered, the Sounders attack moved to the center of the field opposed to out wide, which it was in the first half. Ljungberg's light handle immediately seemed in flow with Montero, the two playing a precision short game that had Salt Lake defenders scrambling. Ljungberg said he expects to play ore next week.

Seattle has beaten the two teams that played for the Western Conference championship last year. The confluence of success on and off the field have produced a fairy-tale two weeks.

"I love six points," coach Sigi Schmid said. "I think our soccer’s going to get better and better. But the one quality this team is showing at a very early stage is the ability to compete, the ability to cover for each other, and the ability that nobody’s too proud not to work a little bit extra if somebody ends up making a mistake. That’s what you need if you want to eventually compete for a championship."

Direct kicks: Defender Taylor Graham, who broke a bone in his big toe back in February and has been out since, will get out of a walking boot next week then be reassessed by the team doctors. ... Next week the Sounders travel to play at Toronto on Saturday at 1 p.m. Toronto is renowned as one of the toughest places to play in the league. Toronto tied Columbus 1-1 earlier Saturday in Ohio. ... Saturday was the second consecutive sellout, 28,548 in attendance. ... Montero rounded up Osvaldo Alonso and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado to celebrate his goal with him, just as he did in the opener. The "Three Amigos" as they have been dubbed, broke into a slidestep. How many more routines does Montero have in him? "I will plan as much a variety as I can. Hopefully I will score that many goals to put them to test. I'm very happy to be scoring these goals, more than anything this is a group effort. It's not only about playing well, but showing the connection with the fans."

Todd Dybas is the editor of Seattlesportsonline.com. He can be reached via e-mail at tdybas@seattlesportsonline.com