Monday, February 13, 2012

Sounders notes and updates

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Now just 23 days from the showdown with Santos Laguna, Sounders FC is turning up the heat with a 10-day, four-game trip to Bradenton, Fla., followed by a scrimmage in Cancun, Mexico against Atlante FC.

Sounders FC concluded eight days of training in Arizona with a 1-1 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC last week. After two days off in Seattle, the Rave Green convened at Starfire on Friday for the first time this month. The team then boarded a plane bright and early on Saturday morning and traveled across the country to the Sunshine State.

To Continue...

Sounders FC will return to the Pacific Northwest on February 23 and host Mexico's Jaguares de Chiapas in the annual Community Shield match at CenturyLink Field on February 29.

The four training games in Florida will begin Monday afternoon against Orlando City SC and continue with a match against the Columbus Crew on Wednesday. The U17 U.S. National Team and Florida Gulf Coast University comprise Seattle's other Florida training game opponents. All training games and sessions in Florida will be held at the IMG Soccer Academy.

Seattle is readying for a quarterfinal matchup against Mexican leaders Santos Laguna on March 7 in the CONCACAF Champions League. Sounders FC kicks off MLS play 10 days later on March 17. Both matches will be played on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com