It's open to the public, details and preseason schedule below...

Sounders FC Announces Preseason Match to Benefit Local Charities

RENTON, Wash. - The Seattle Sounders FC announced today details for the club's inaugural "Community Shield" match, which will take place on Thursday, March 11 at 6 p.m. on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. The Sounders FC will face the Portland Timbers of the USL in the pre-season training match.

General Admission tickets for the event will go on sale Wednesday, February 10, at 10 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth (6-17). Children under the age of six are free. Tickets will be available at www.SoundersFC.com, by calling 800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets and the Qwest Field Box Office.

Proceeds from the match will benefit the team's four community partners: Boys and Girls Club of Washington State, Save the Children, Seattle SCORES and Washington Youth Soccer. Following the match the teams will sign autographs from the field.

"The 'Community Shield' match will be a great opportunity for our fans to watch the team and give back to the community before the regular season begins on March 25," said Sounders FC general manager Adrian Hanauer.

Following in the steps of other MLS teams, the model for the event is based upon the "Charity or Community Shield" matches in England, where they are a long standing tradition featuring the champions of the FA Premier League against the winners of the FA Cup with all proceeds going to charity.

As previously announced, Seattle opens preseason play on Wednesday in Casa Grande, Ariz. against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Sounders FC will play three matches during the La Manga Cup II in Spain, from February 18 through February 26. The final preseason game is on March 19 at the Colorado Rapids.

Seattle hosts Philadelphia Union to open the MLS season March 25 before a national television audience on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

2010 Preseason Schedule

Date Time Game Location

Feb. 11 10:00 a.m. Vancouver Whitecaps FC Casa Grande, Ariz. (training game)

Feb. 18 7:30 a.m. Rosenborg BK La Manga, Spain (La Manga Cup II)

Feb. 21 TBD FC Norsjalland/Stabak La Manga, Spain (La Manga Cup II)

Feb. 25/26 TBD TBD La Manga, Spain (La Manga Cup II)

Mar. 11 6:00 p.m. Portland Timbers Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field, Seattle

Mar. 19 6:00 p.m. at Colorado Rapids Commerce City, Colo.