Seattle Sounders FC had a pair of breakthroughs Friday in its 1-0 win at Colorado.

First, the winning goal came from Fredy Montero, who ended his run of 11 scoreless league matches dating to Aug. 28, 2010.

“I’m feeling much, much better,” Montero said through an interpreter Tuesday.

“Really, I think it’s just the finish. I’ve been working on the finish, and that’s what I changed.”

Montero’s goal was all Seattle would need as the MLS club also recorded its first shutout of a season now seven games old.

“It was very important as a team to show that we can defend what comes our way,” defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado said through a translator. “We were glad to get the shutout, and we hope to continue to get more.”

Shutouts are crucial for the Sounders (2-3-3), who have scored seven goals thus far.

No Seattle game has been decided by more than one goal.

“If we had a shutout against Houston (a 1-1 score) we’d have two more points,” Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said. “If we had a shutout against San Jose (a 2-2 final) we’d have two more points. So, if you add those four points to what we have right now we’d be in pretty good shape.”

ZAKUANI UPDATE

Midfielder Steve Zakuani, who suffered a fractured right leg on a hard slide tackle by Colorado midfielder Brian Mullan, checked out of a Denver hospital Tuesday afternoon and returned to Seattle.

MLS is expected to announce today what additional disciplinary action will be taken against Mullan, who received a straight red card.

“Obviously, I think the league needs to look at it and send whatever message they feel is necessary so situations like this don’t occur as we move forward,” Schmid said.

Meanwhile, Sounders FC is planning a tribute to Zakuani at Qwest Field on Saturday when the team plays against Toronto FC.

Don Ruiz, 253-597-8808