Recently, you may have heard phrases like these around town: "Come celebrate the Beautiful Game" or "The world's game is coming to Seattle." Both are slogans used by our city's new Major League Soccer franchise, Seattle Sounders FC, on posters and other advertisements to promote the game of soccer -- the most popular sport in the world.

Well, now the team that most exemplifies the Beautiful Game is coming to Seattle. Brazil, five-time World Cup winner and currently FIFA's second-ranked team, will play an "international friendly" versus Canada at Qwest Field May 31 at 7:30 p.m. Last month, a game between Mexico and China drew more than 50,000 fans to Qwest Field.

According to the Sounders FC, all the big names from Brazil are expected to play in the end-of-the-month matchup, including one-name wonders Ronaldinho, Robinho and Kaká, the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2007. Both Canada and Brazil will use the match to prepare for World Cup qualifying games in June, which explains why both teams plan to call up their best players.

Tickets for Brazil-Canada go on sale Monday, May 5, at 10 a.m., with ticket prices ranging from $35 to $125. To purchase tickets, call Ticketmaster at 206-628-0888, visit the Sounders FC or Ticketmaster Web sites or buy in person at the Qwest Field Box Office (10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday) or Ticketmaster outlets. Groups of 20 or more should call 1-877-MLS-GOAL.

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