Dynamo to face California clubs to close 2010 preseason

The Houston Dynamo will face MLS rivals the San Jose Earthquakes and Chivas USA in friendlies on March 17 and March 20, respectively, as the Dynamo's final tune-ups for the Major League Soccer regular season, it was announced Friday.

The Dynamo will face San Jose on Wednesday, March 17, at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco in a match slated to kick off at 9 p.m. CT. On Saturday, March 20, Houston will face Chivas USA at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, with the match also kicking off at 9 p.m. CT. Tickets for that game go on sale today, March 5, at Santa Barbara merchant stores and are also available at www.sbsoccerent.com or by calling (877) 747-4295.

Direct Relief International will receive a portion of the match proceeds from the Chivas USA game. Direct Relief International was founded in 1948 and is a Santa Barbara, California-based nonprofit organization focused on improving quality of life by bringing critically needed medicines and supplies to local healthcare providers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.DirectRelief.org.

For the Dynamo's entire preseason schedule, please see below.

The Dynamo's home opener is set for Thursday, April 1, at 8 p.m. against defending MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake. Season ticket packages and mini plans, which include discounted seats to the 2010 MLS All-Star Game at Reliant Stadium, are available at HoustonDynamo.com and by calling (713) 276-7500.

The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer franchise that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first four seasons and represented the United States in four consecutive regional championships. For more information, log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.

*scrimmage