Cascadia-rific news day

First of all we have Official Confirmation to Jeremiah's earlier reports that the Sounders will be hosting a preseason Cascadia Summit which includes matches between the three teams.  The matches are as follows:

Fri. March 4th: Sounders vs Timbers  @ 7:30 pm

Sat. March 5th: Timbers vs. Whitecaps @ 5 pm

Sun. March 6th: Sounders U-18 vs. Whitecaps Residency @ Noon;  Sounders vs. Whitecaps @ 3pm

Also included are forums involving coaches and a "Supporters Summit".  These are set to go off at 1pm on Saturday the 5th.  I am also told there will be a get-together of Cascadia SBN bloggers and their readers at some point. 

It will all do down at Starfire in lovely Tukwila...

In a special preview, 500 tickets will be allotted to Timbers and Whitecaps supporters for matches against Sounders, while 500 tickets will be allotted to Sounders supporters for the Caps-Timbers match.

Which brings us to item #2, which is that after last night's Alliance Council meeting we are learning details of the Cascadia traveling supporters ticket allocation, specifically that all 500 Sounders tickets will be distributed through Supporter's groups.  This isn't particularly revelatory, although it may irritate some to realize that if you are not a member of a SG you won't have direct access to any of the 500 alotted tickets.

Dave will be by later for much more...

Added below the break is the Sounders press release

Sounders FC to Host Cascadia Summit March 4-6
Portland and Vancouver to Join Seattle for Series of Preseason Matches at Starfire
 
RENTON, Wash. - Seattle Sounders FC announced today it will host a three-day Cascadia Summit which includes preseason matches between Sounders FC, Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.
 
From Friday, March 4, through Sunday, March 6, the Cascadia Summit will feature forums involving the coaches and supporters groups from each club.
 
"With Portland and Vancouver joining Seattle in MLS, this marks the beginning of a new era for the game in this region," said Seattle owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer. "Together, our clubs wish to bring together our teams and supporters for a time to celebrate our passion for the sport, the spirit of our supporters and the competitiveness of our clubs."
 
The Summit's opening match on March 4 will be Sounders FC facing Portland at 7:30 p.m. PT. On March 5, the Timbers and Whitecaps FC play at 5 p.m. PT.
 
The weekend activities conclude March 6 with the Sounders FC Academy U18 and Whitecaps FC Residency teams playing at 12 p.m., followed by the Seattle and Vancouver senior teams at 3 p.m. PT.
 
All matches will be played at the Starfire Sports Stadium. Tickets are $10 for each day and go on sale February 1 at SoundersFC.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.  There is a two-day Sounders FC package for $18 that is good for both Seattle matches. No ticket is necessary for the Supporters Event/Coaches Forum.
 
Portland and Vancouver supporters will each be allotted 500 tickets in specific sections for their matches with Sounders FC. For the Whitecaps FC-Timbers match, each group will be allotted 1,300 seats, with 500 for Seattle fans. Seating is limited.
 
The Sounders FC Academy teams meet Crossfire Premier on Saturday at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland. The U18s play at 11 a.m. followed by the U16s at 1:30 p.m.
 
Sounders FC begins preseason training on Tuesday at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash., and opens the MLS season on March 15 by hosting the L.A. Galaxy in First Kick 2011 on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT. For 2011 season tickets visit SoundersFC.com or call 877-MLS-GOAL.
 
Cascadia Summit Schedule of Events (all held at Starfire Stadium)
Friday, March 4
7:00 p.m.          Summit Opening
7:30 p.m.          Seattle Sounders FC v Portland Timbers
 
Saturday, March 5
1:00 p.m.          Supporters Summit & Coaches Forum
5:00 p.m.          Portland Timbers v Vancouver Whitecaps FC
 
Sunday, March 6
12:00 p.m.        Sounders FC Academy U18 v Whitecaps FC Residency
3:00 p.m.          Seattle Sounders FC v Vancouver Whitecaps FC