Sounders FC announced its anticipated Feb. 29 Community Shield match Thursday morning.

The team's final preseason game will be at CenturyLink Field against Jaguares de Chiapas of the Mexican Primera Division, and admission for the 7 p.m. kickoff is free.

That's right, the game is free -- though fans are encouraged to give donations at the gate to benefit the team's five charitable partners (America SCORES Seattle, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County and Bellevue, Special Olympics Washington, Washington Global Health and Washington Youth Soccer).

Seating will be open in the lower east bowl.

From the news release: "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."

I expect the Sounders to field a team of mostly starters, and I expect Jaguares will have some incentive to do the same.

Last year, Seattle hosted the Colorado Rapids to make it a true Shield game between the league and cup winners. In 2010, the Sounders hosted rival Portland.

Seattle kicks off its CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal at home against Mexico's Santos Laguna on March 7. That's followed by a CCL road leg on March 14 and then the MLS regular-season opener at home against Toronto FC on March 17.

What do you think of the game? Can't go wrong with free, right?