Qwest Hosts First Kick

For the third straight year, the Sounders FC will kick off the MLS season, hosting the LA Galaxy March 15 at Qwest Field.

For the third consecutive year, Qwest Field and the Sounders FC will host MLS First Kick as Seattle faces the LA Galaxy in a rematch of the Western Conference Semifinal meeting that ended the year for Seattle in 2010.

MLS announced the home openers for all 18 teams today and the Sounders will face the defending Supporters’ Shield winners on March 15 at Qwest Field in a nationally televised game on ESPN.  Kickoff is slated for 6:30pm.

“We are honored to host the first match of the MLS season for the third year in a row,” Sounders FC owner Joe Roth said.  “It is a true tribute to the Sounders FC fans who have created a passionate and exciting atmosphere unlike any in the league.”

In addition to the season’s lid-lifter, Seattle will also play against the top Eastern Conference team in the New York Red Bulls home opener March 19 at Red Bull Arena.

“Our team looks forward to playing the two division champions, Los Angeles and New York, in our first two games,” Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid said.  “It’s a difficult task, but we relish the opportunity.”

In 2009, Seattle topped the New York Red Bulls 3-0 in MLS First Kick on March 19 with 32,523 in attendance.  Last year, it was a 2-0 win over the expansion Philadelphia Union on March 25 in front of 36,241.

Seattle is the first MLS club to host First Kick in three consecutive seasons.

The remaining 32 games on Seattle’s schedule will be announced by early February.