Sounders FC Preseason Schedule Takes Shape

7 Dates announced; Argentina schedule being finalized

RENTON, WASH. – The Seattle Sounders FC have announced its schedule of domestic 2009 MLS preseason games, including two matches open to the public during the upcoming training in Southern California.

Sounders FC, which opened training January 21, will face opposition for the first time February 9, with a training game in Carson, Calif., against the L.A. Galaxy. On February 10, Seattle will face Chinese Super League champion Shandong Luneng at the Sounders FC training site in Oxnard.

Three preseason games will be open to the public. The first is February 11 at the Ventura County Fusion of the Premier Development League (PDL). The final game in California is February 13 at San Luis Obispo, against the San Jose Earthquakes. After returning to the Pacific Northwest, Sounders FC will visit the University of Portland on February 20.

A pair of closed-door matches will take place at Qwest Field. Seattle hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps February 22 and, in the final preseason game March 12, Sounders FC plays the Colorado Rapids.

Seattle hosts the New York Red Bulls to open the MLS season March 19 before a national television audience on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

Still to be finalized are four dates during the team’s training sessions in Argentina from February 27-March 5.