Sounders Coach Sigi Schmid looked understandably glum following his team’s last contest against D.C. United.

After the team’s most impressive MLS win of the season, a 3-0 shutout triumph over the New England Revolution, Seattle looked forward to closing out the first half of the season and enjoying the respite of the World Cup break.

All that stood between the Sounders and that ideal first-half close was a game at home, June 10 against D.C. United, which came into the contest in last place in the Eastern Conference. After the earlier victory against New England in the friendly confines of the Xbox pitch of Qwest Field the odds were very much in the Sounders’ favor.

Curt Onalfo’s visiting team spoiled the scenario by planting a 3-2 upset win behind the solid effort of one player to whom Schmid paid homage as he faced the media.

“We lost tonight to Chris Pontius,” Schmid declared.

Initially former Santa Barbara University star Pontius was given credit for a hat trick but ultimately one score was ruled an own goal by the Sounders. As Schmid said, the evening belonged to Pontius from an offensive standpoint, as reflected by the score and how the goals were accomplished.

D.C. startled the home team by jumping to a 3-0 lead before the Sounders launched a late rally that brought the score to 3-2 with Seattle battling for the equalizer when time expired.

Since that devastating June evening the injury-plagued Sounders have been seeking a formula for jumping out of the seventh spot they now occupy and into the ranks of teams seeking postseason playoff berths.

Coach Schmid believes that it will take 45 points to reach that precipice, meaning that the Sounders with 16 points and a 4-8-4 record have a large mountain to climb.

Meanwhile D.C. United played three games on the road since the upset triumph in Seattle with a mark of 0-2-1. Overall D.C. United stands at 3-9-3 with 12 points.

It is 2-4-1 at home and seventh in the East. D.C. United's goal differential of minus-14 ranks last in the MLS and the 11 goals scored is tied with Kansas City for the fewest.

The Sounders have cherished moments from last season at RFK Stadium, where this contest will be held.

Sounders FC claimed its first trophy at RFK Stadium on Sept. 2, 2009 after defeating D.C. United, 2-1, in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final. Ten days later, Seattle beat United by an identical score in MLS play.

It could work to the Sounders’ advantage from the standpoint of a surprise element that there is so much indecision as to Thursday’s starting lineup. Star winger Freddie Ljungberg missed the Dallas contest after sustaining an ankle injury in the team’s final practice. It is uncertain at this juncture whether Ljungberg will start or even play.

Another point of indecision is whether Blaise Nkufo, Seattle’s newest player fresh from a great outing in Switzerland’s victory over eventual World Cup titlist Spain, will be making his debut on the RFK pitch Thursday night.

One more decision to be made just before game time is the status of first-year midfielder Michael Seamon, who drew praise from Coach Schmid after making a fine debut MLS start against Dallas.

Seamon went into that game with an ankle injury and was ascertained by Schmid to be at about 85 percent of his potential. His condition will be reevaluated up until the 5 p.m. Pacific Time kickoff to determine if he will be able to play against D.C. United.

The Seattle youth program was an important lineup element for the Dallas game. The median age of the Sounders’ midfield was 21.

As for Thursday night and what Sigi Schmid has planned, stay tuned.

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