Sounders News & Notes

After spending much of the previous month prepping under the Arizona and Florida sun, the Rave Green returned to their roots for a final tune-up in the frigid Pacific Northwest winter.

Sounders FC will host Mexican side Jaguares de Chiapas on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PT in the annual "Community Shield" charity match at CenturyLink Field. The match is free admission with all donations benefiting the club's community partners.

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Just one week later, Sounders FC will kick off the competitive soccer season with a match against Mexico's Santos Laguna in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. Seattle hosts Santos in the home leg on March 7 with the second leg in Torreon, Mexico on March 14.

The winner of the aggregate-goal series advances to the semifinals to face LA Galaxy or Toronto FC. Potentially just six games separate Sounders FC from being named the top club in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, and advancing to the FIFA Club World Cup.

Seattle concluded 13 days on the road in Cancun, Mexico with a win over Atlante FC last Wednesday. In six preseason games, Sounders FC has won four and tied twice, scoring at least one goal in every game and multiple in the past four.

The Rave Green look to continue their winning ways on Wednesday against Jaguares, who will be the second of three Mexican Primera Division clubs that Seattle will face in a three-week span.

Seattle will open MLS play at home with a match against Toronto FC on Saturday, March 17. Following the opener, Sounders FC will have two more home games in March as Houston and San Jose visit the Emerald City.

Season tickets can be purchased by visiting www.SoundersFC.com or phoning 1-877-MLS-GOAL. Tickets for the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal are available at www.SoundersFC.com, by calling 800-745-3000 and the CenturyLink Field Box Office as well as all Ticketmaster outlets.

Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com