The Red Bulls’ season-opener Saturday against Seattle will air locally on MSG. The pregame show kicks off at 7 p.m., in HD no less.

They’ve sold over 20,000 tickets but there are still some available by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER.

*** Coach Hans Backe made it clear Tuesday he sees newly-acquired Teemu Tainio as a central midfielder, and the player himself concurs. With Backe planning to use Jan Gunnar Solli as a right back, I’d expect Tainio to be lining up in the middle, or at least seriously competing for playing time there.

“I see him best as a center mid,’’ Backe said at media day.

The 31-year-old Tainio, a longtime veteran of the English Premier League who arrived on a free transfer from Ajax, has all his paperwork in order and expects to be available to play Saturday against Seattle.

“After the last friendly, I talked with coach. I do feel that if you want to get the most out of me, you play me in the midfield in a central position,’’ said Tainio, adding he won’t play for Finland to concentrate on the Red Bulls. “But if he wants to play me at right back, I can play anywhere he wants. It won’t be a problem.’’

*** Tim Ream and Juan Agudelo have been called up for the National Team’s game vs. Argentina next Saturday at the New Meadowlands. The Red Bulls have an MLS-high 20 different countries represented, and much has been made about the dearth of U.S.-born starters. But it should be noted they are the only league club with TWO representatives on the U.S. roster next weekend.

*** Rookie defender Sacir Hot has been named by U.S. U-20 National Team head coach Thomas Rongen to the roster for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Guatemala from March 28 to April 10. He leaves Sunday, and will miss the games at Columbus (March 26), vs. Houston (April 2) and at Philadelphia (April 9).