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2009 Major League Soccer season

14th season of Major League Soccer


14th season of Major League Soccer

Real Salt Lake Los Angeles Galaxy Seattle Sounders FC Chicago Fire Chivas USA New England Revolution FC Dallas Goals: 17 (April 25){{cite web |access-date = September 7, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100120005938/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20090425&content_id=244091&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp |archive-date = January 20, 2010 |url-status = dead (May 31)

SJ 0–3 CLB (August 8) (September 12) Houston Dynamo (May 23 – Jun 13) Columbus Crew (Jul 18 – Aug 15) Chicago Fire (Mar 21 – May 28) Houston Dynamo (Apr 11 – Jun 20) New York Red Bulls (May 16 – Aug 15) New York Red Bulls (Jun 24 – Aug 15)

The 2009 Major League Soccer season was the 14th season of Major League Soccer. It was also the 97th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer in the United States, and the 31st with a national first-division league.

The Seattle Sounders FC debuted as the league's 15th club and were the second team in history to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs in their inaugural season. The club set a league record for attendance and averaged 30,943 per regular season match at Qwest Field.

After three seasons, the MLS Reserve League was discontinued. As a result, each team's Developmental Roster spots were reduced from 10 to four, and each team's Senior Roster spots were increased from 18 to 20. This reduced each team's total roster from 28 to 24 players.

The regular season began on March 19, and concluded on October 25. The 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs began on October 29, and concluded with MLS Cup 2009 on November 22. Real Salt Lake won their first MLS Cup by defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy in a penalty shootout.

Overview

Season format

The season began on March 19 and concluded with MLS Cup on November 22. The 15 teams were split into two conferences with 7 playing in the Eastern Conference and 8 playing in the Western Conference. Each team played 30 games that were evenly divided between home and away. Each team played every other team twice, home and away, for a total of 28 games. The remaining two games were played against four regional rivals, one at home and one away.

The top two teams from each conference automatically qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs. In addition, the four highest remaining point totals, regardless of conference, also qualified. In the first round, aggregate goals over two matches determined the winners. The conference finals were played as a single match, and the winners advanced to MLS Cup. In all rounds, draws were broken with two 15-minute periods of extra time, followed by penalty kicks if necessary. The away goals rule was not used in any round.

The team with the most points in the regular season was awarded the MLS Supporters' Shield and qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League. Additionally, the winner of MLS Cup, and the runner-up, also qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League. An additional berth in the Champions League was also awarded to the winner of the U.S. Open Cup. If a team qualified for multiple berths into the Champions League, then additional berths were awarded to the highest overall finishing MLS team(s) not already qualified. Also, Toronto FC, as a Canadian-based team, could not qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League through MLS, and had to instead qualify through the Canadian Championship.

Automatic qualification for the U.S. Open Cup was awarded to the top six overall finishers. The rest of the U.S.-based MLS teams had to qualify for the remaining two berths via a series of play-in games.

Qualification for the SuperLiga was awarded to the top four overall finishers not already qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League.

Stadiums and locations

Main article: List of Major League Soccer stadiums

TeamStadiumCapacity
Chicago FireToyota Park20,000
Chivas USAHome Depot Center27,000
Colorado RapidsDick's Sporting Goods Park18,061
Columbus CrewColumbus Crew Stadium22,555
D.C. UnitedRFK Stadium46,000
FC DallasPizza Hut Park21,193
Houston DynamoRobertson Stadium32,000
Kansas City WizardsCommunityAmerica Ballpark10,385
LA GalaxyHome Depot Center27,000
New England RevolutionGillette Stadium68,756
New York Red BullsGiants Stadium80,200
Real Salt LakeRio Tinto Stadium20,213
San Jose EarthquakesBuck Shaw Stadium10,525
Seattle Sounders FCQwest Field68,740
Toronto FCBMO Field21,566

Personnel and sponsorships

TeamHead coachCaptainShirt sponsor
Chicago FireCRC Denis HamlettUSA C. J. BrownBest Buy
Chivas USAUSA PrekiMEX Claudio SuárezComex
Colorado RapidsENG Gary SmithUSA Pablo Mastroeni
Columbus CrewPOL Robert WarzychaUSA Frankie HejdukGlidden
D.C. UnitedUSA Tom SoehnBOL Jaime MorenoVolkswagen
FC DallasUSA Schellas HyndmanARG Pablo Ricchetti
Houston DynamoUSA Dominic KinnearUSA Wade Barrett
Kansas City WizardsUSA Peter Vermes (interim)USA Jimmy Conrad
LA GalaxyUSA Bruce ArenaUSA Landon DonovanHerbalife
New England RevolutionSCO Steve NicolUSA Steve Ralston
New York Red BullsUSA Richie Williams (interim)COL Juan Pablo ÁngelRed Bull
Real Salt LakeUSA Jason KreisUSA Kyle BeckermanXanGo
San Jose EarthquakesCAN Frank YallopUSA Ramiro CorralesAmway Global
Seattle Sounders FCUSA Sigi SchmidUSA Kasey KellerXbox
Toronto FCENG Chris Cummins (interim)CAN Jim Brennan

Coaching changes

TeamOutgoing coachManner of departureDate of vacancyIncoming coachDate of appointment
Toronto FCENG John CarverResignedApril 25, 2009ENG Chris Cummins (interim)April 29, 2009
Kansas City WizardsUSA Curt OnalfoFiredAugust 3, 2009USA Peter Vermes (interim)August 4, 2009
New York Red BullsCOL Juan Carlos OsorioResignedAugust 21, 2009USA Richie Williams (interim)August 21, 2009

Results table

Abbreviation and Color Key:
Chicago Fire – CHI • Chivas USA – CHV • Colorado Rapids – COL • Columbus Crew – CLB • D.C. United – DC
FC Dallas – DAL • Houston Dynamo – HOU • Kansas City Wizards – KC • Los Angeles Galaxy – LA • New England Revolution – NE
New York Red Bulls – NY • Real Salt Lake – RSL • San Jose Earthquakes – SJ • Seattle Sounders FC – SEA • Toronto FC – TOR
Win Loss Tie HomeClubMatch123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930
Chicago FireDALDCNYSJKCCLBSEANETORNYCHVDALHOUDCCOLCLBSJSEARSLHOUKCLACOLDCRSLCLBTORLANECHV
3-11-10-13-32-22-21-11-12-01-03-23-01-01-22-10-00-20-00-12-32-02-02-31-01-12-22-20-10-00-1
Chivas USACOLDALCLBLASEATORDALSJRSLDCKCCHISEAHOUCLBLANECOLNYTORRSLLANESEANYDCKCSJCHIHOU
1-22-01-20-00-20-10-21-00-12-21-13-20-10-11-21-00-20-42-00-20-40-10-20-01-12-00-22-20-13-2
Colorado RapidsCHVKCLACLBHOULARSLNESEANYRSLDCDALSEACHIDALDCNYCLBCHVCHIHOUTORTORSJSJKCNEDALRSL
1-21-23-21-10-11-10-21-12-23-21-10-31-10-32-10-11-30-41-00-42-30-10-12-31-11-10-01-11-20-3
Columbus CrewHOUTORRSLCHVCOLCHITORKCLASJSEAKCCHVDALNYDCCHIRSLTORCOLSJDALNYHOUCHILASEANEDCNE
1-11-11-41-21-12-21-12-31-11-21-12-01-21-20-11-10-01-32-31-03-00-20-11-22-20-21-01-00-11-0
D.C. UnitedLACHIHOURSLNENYDALKCTORCHVRSLNENYCHISEACOLCLBCOLSJHOUTORLACHIDALKCSEASJCHVCLBKC
2-21-10-11-21-13-21-21-13-32-20-01-20-21-23-30-31-11-32-23-40-20-01-02-20-12-12-12-00-12-2
FC DallasCHICHVNETORTORCHVDCHOUSEALACHISJHOUCLBCOLNYCOLRSLKCHOUCLBNYDCLAKCRSLNESJCOLSEA
3-12-01-21-12-30-21-20-11-11-13-02-23-11-21-11-20-12-40-60-10-22-32-26-32-30-30-12-11-21-2
Houston DynamoCLBSJDCNYCOLNEDALNYSJTORCHICHVDALRSLLAKCSEATORNEDCDALCHIRSLSEACOLCLBRSLKCLACHV
1-12-30-10-00-12-00-11-11-30-31-00-13-11-10-11-01-21-11-03-41-02-30-01-10-11-22-31-10-03-2
Kansas City WizardsTORCOLSJSEACHINYTORDCCLBRSLCHVLACLBNEHOUNELADALCHISJRSLNEDCNYDALCOLHOUCHVSEADC
3-21-20-21-02-20-10-11-12-32-01-11-12-01-31-00-01-10-62-00-11-04-20-11-02-30-01-10-23-22-2
Los Angeles GalaxyDCCOLCHVSJCOLNYRSLSEACLBDALKCTORRSLSJHOUNECHVNYKCNESEACHIDCCHVDALTORCLBCHIHOUSJ
2-23-20-01-11-10-12-21-11-11-11-12-12-01-20-10-11-03-11-12-12-02-00-00-16-30-20-20-10-00-2
New England RevolutionSJNYDALDCRSLHOUCHICOLTORDCNYKCLAKCCHVHOUTORLASEARSLSJKCCHVNYSEADALCOLCLBCHICLB
1-01-11-21-10-62-01-11-11-31-20-41-30-10-00-21-01-12-11-01-31-24-20-21-11-20-11-11-00-01-0
New York Red BullsSEANECHIHOURSLKCDCLASJHOUCHICOLDCNETORSEATORCLBDALLACOLCHVDALCLBKCNECHVSJRSLTOR
0-31-10-10-00-20-13-20-11-41-11-03-20-20-41-31-10-20-11-23-10-42-02-30-11-01-11-10-10-20-5
Real Salt LakeSEACLBDCNYNECOLLACHVKCDCSJCOLLAHOUTORSJCLBDALCHISEAHOUNECHVKCCHIHOUDALNYTORCOL
0-21-41-20-20-60-22-20-12-00-01-21-12-01-10-31-11-32-40-10-10-01-30-41-01-12-30-30-20-10-3
San Jose EarthquakesNEHOUKCCHILASEACHVNYHOUCLBRSLDALSEALARSLTORCHIDCSEACLBKCNECOLCOLDCNYDALTORCHVLA
1-02-30-23-31-10-21-01-41-31-21-22-21-21-21-13-10-22-20-43-00-11-21-11-12-10-12-11-12-20-2
Seattle Sounders FCNYRSLTORKCCHVSJCHILADALCOLCLBCHVSJDCNYCOLHOUCHISJRSLLANEHOUTORDCCHVNECLBKCDAL
0-30-22-01-00-20-21-11-11-12-21-10-11-23-31-10-31-20-00-40-12-01-01-10-02-10-01-21-03-21-2
Toronto FCKCCLBSEADALDALCHVKCCLBDCCHINEHOULANYNYRSLSJHOUCLBNEDCCHVSEACOLCOLLACHISJRSLNY
3-21-12-01-12-30-10-11-13-32-01-30-32-11-20-20-33-11-12-31-10-20-20-00-12-30-22-21-10-10-5

Standings

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Overall standings

MLS Cup Playoffs

Main article: 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs

Player statistics

Goals

RankPlayerClubGoals
1USA Jeff CunninghamFC Dallas17
2USA Conor CaseyColorado Rapids16
3ARG Guillermo Barros SchelottoColumbus Crew12
USA Landon DonovanLA Galaxy
USA Robbie FindleyReal Salt Lake
COL Fredy MonteroSeattle Sounders FC
COL Juan Pablo ÁngelNew York Red Bulls
8CAN Dwayne De RosarioToronto FC11
JAM Ryan JohnsonSan Jose Earthquakes
USA Josh WolffKansas City Wizards

Hat-tricks

Main article: List of Major League Soccer hat-tricks

PlayerClubAgainstResultDate
USA Robbie FindleyReal Salt LakeColumbus Crew4–1
USA Conor CaseyColorado RapidsLA Galaxy3–2
USA Jeff Cunningham4FC DallasKansas City Wizards6–0
USA Conor CaseyColorado RapidsChivas USA4–0
ZIM Kheli DubeNew England RevolutionReal Salt Lake3–1

Assists

RankPlayerClubAssists
1JAM Omar CummingsColorado Rapids11
2NED Dave van den BerghFC Dallas10
3USA Brad DavisHouston Dynamo9
4MEX Cuauhtémoc BlancoChicago Fire8
5USA Landon DonovanLA Galaxy6
USA Nate JaquaSeattle Sounders FC
GRN Shalrie JosephNew England Revolution
ARG Claudio LópezKansas City Wizards
ARG Javier MoralesReal Salt Lake
10*10 players*5

Clean sheets

RankPlayerClubClean
sheets
1USA Zach ThorntonChivas USA12
2USA Jon BuschChicago Fire10
USA Kasey KellerSeattle Sounders FC
CAN Pat OnstadHouston Dynamo
5JAM Donovan RickettsLA Galaxy9
USA Nick RimandoReal Salt Lake
7USA Matt ReisNew England Revolution8
8USA Kevin HartmanKansas City Wizards7
USA Will HesmerColumbus Crew
USA Matt PickensColorado Rapids

Awards

Individual awards

AwardPlayerClub
Most Valuable PlayerUSA Landon DonovanLA Galaxy
Defender of the YearUSA Chad MarshallColumbus Crew
Goalkeeper of the YearUSA Zach ThorntonChivas USA
Coach of the YearUSA Bruce ArenaLA Galaxy
Rookie of the YearUSA Omar GonzalezLA Galaxy
Newcomer of the YearCOL Fredy MonteroSeattle Sounders FC
Comeback Player of the YearUSA Zach ThorntonChivas USA
Golden BootUSA Jeff CunninghamFC Dallas
Goal of the YearUSA Landon DonovanLA Galaxy
Save of the YearCAN Pat OnstadHouston Dynamo
Fair Play AwardUSA Steve RalstonNew England Revolution
Humanitarian of the YearUSA Jimmy Conrad
USA Logan PauseKansas City Wizards
Chicago Fire

Best XI

GoalkeeperDefendersMidfieldersForwards
USA Zach Thornton, Chivas USAUSA Geoff Cameron, Houston
COL Wilman Conde, Chicago
USA Chad Marshall, ColumbusCAN Dwayne De Rosario, Toronto
USA Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy
USA Stuart Holden, Houston
GRN Shalrie Joseph, New England
SWE Freddie Ljungberg, SeattleUSA Conor Casey, Colorado
USA Jeff Cunningham, Dallas

Player of the Month

MonthPlayerClub
MarchCOL Fredy MonteroSeattle Sounders FC
AprilUSA Brian McBrideChicago Fire
MayUSA Conor CaseyColorado Rapids
JuneARG Guillermo Barros SchelottoColumbus Crew
JulyUSA Landon DonovanLA Galaxy
AugustUSA Chad MarshallColumbus Crew
SeptemberUSA Jeff CunninghamFC Dallas
OctoberSWE Freddie LjungbergSeattle Sounders FC

Weekly awards

Player of the WeekWeekPlayerClub
Week 1COL Fredy MonteroSeattle Sounders FC
Week 2USA Kasey KellerSeattle Sounders FC
Week 3USA Conor CaseyColorado Rapids
Week 4JAM Donovan RickettsLA Galaxy
Week 5USA Josh WolffKansas City Wizards
Week 6ARG Javier MoralesReal Salt Lake
Week 7BOL Jaime MorenoD.C. United
Week 8SEN Macoumba KandjiNew York Red Bulls
Week 9USA Josh WolffKansas City Wizards
Week 10HON Amado GuevaraToronto FC
Week 11USA Conor CaseyColorado Rapids
Week 12USA Taylor TwellmanNew England Revolution
Week 13ARG Guillermo Barros SchelottoColumbus Crew
Week 14JAM Omar CummingsColorado Rapids
Week 15USA Nate JaquaSeattle Sounders FC
Week 16USA Jeff CunninghamFC Dallas
Week 17USA Chad BarrettToronto FC
Week 18MEX Cuauhtémoc BlancoChicago Fire
Week 19ARM Yura MovsisyanReal Salt Lake
Week 20USA Jeff CunninghamFC Dallas
Week 21USA Conor CaseyColorado Rapids
Week 22USA Chad MarshallColumbus Crew
Week 23Zimbabwe Kheli DubeNew England Revolution
Week 24BRA Pablo CamposReal Salt Lake
Week 25USA Josh WolffKansas City Wizards
Week 26USA Jeff CunninghamFC Dallas
Week 27USA Brad DavisHouston Dynamo
Week 28GRD Shalrie JosephNew England Revolution
Week 29USA Landon DonovanLA Galaxy
Week 30USA Jeff CunninghamFC Dallas
Week 31SWE Freddie LjungbergSeattle Sounders FC
Week 32USA Robbie FindleyReal Salt Lake
Goal of the WeekWeekPlayerClub
Week 1COL Fredy MonteroSeattle Sounders FC
Week 2COL Fredy MonteroSeattle Sounders FC
Week 3GAM Sainey NyassiNew England Revolution
Week 4USA Brian McBrideChicago Fire
Week 5USA Brian ChingHouston Dynamo
Week 6USA Clint MathisReal Salt Lake
Week 7BOL Jaime MorenoD.C. United
Week 8USA Chris PontiusD.C. United
Week 9USA Santino QuarantaD.C. United
Week 10ARG Claudio LópezKansas City Wizards
Week 11USA Nate JaquaSeattle Sounders FC
Week 12JAM Omar CummingsColorado Rapids
Week 13USA Davy ArnaudKansas City Wizards
Week 14USA Eric AvilaFC Dallas
Week 15USA Nate JaquaSeattle Sounders FC
Week 16GUA Marco PappaChicago Fire
Week 17USA Patrick IanniSeattle Sounders FC
Week 18USA Bryan NamoffD.C. United
Week 19ARG Claudio LópezKansas City Wizards
Week 20BRA FredD.C. United
Week 21USA Landon DonovanLA Galaxy
Week 22COD Steve ZakuaniSeattle Sounders FC
Week 23USA Nate JaquaSeattle Sounders FC
Week 24USA Wells ThompsonNew England Revolution
Week 25LIT Edgaras JankauskasNew England Revolution
Week 26JAM O'Brian WhiteToronto FC
Week 27USA Brad DavisHouston Dynamo
Week 28USA Jeff CunninghamFC Dallas
Week 29USA Jeff CunninghamFC Dallas
Week 30USA Jeff CunninghamFC Dallas
Week 31USA George JohnFC Dallas
Week 32USA Robbie FindleyReal Salt Lake

Save of the week was first introduced during week 10 of the 2009 season.

Save of the WeekWeekGoalkeeperClub
Week 10USA Kasey KellerSeattle Sounders FC
Week 11USA Kevin HartmanKansas City Wizards
Week 12CAN Pat OnstadHouston Dynamo
Week 13USA Danny CeperoNew York Red Bulls
Week 14JAM Donovan RickettsLos Angeles Galaxy
Week 15SUI Stefan FreiToronto FC
Week 16Puerto Rico Josh SaundersLos Angeles Galaxy
Week 17CAN Pat OnstadHouston Dynamo
Week 18JAM Donovan RickettsLos Angeles Galaxy
Week 19USA Nick RimandoReal Salt Lake
Week 20ARG Darío SalaFC Dallas
Week 21USA Kasey KellerSeattle Sounders FC
Week 22HON Amado GuevaraToronto FC
Week 23CAN Onstad & USA BarretHouston Dynamo
Week 24SUI Stefan FreiToronto FC
Week 25SUI Stefan FreiToronto FC
Week 26SUI Stefan FreiToronto FC
Week 27USA Zach ThorntonChivas USA
Week 28ARG Darío SalaFC Dallas
Week 29JAM Tyrone MarshallSeattle Sounders FC
Week 30ARG Dario SalaFC Dallas
Week 31USA Geoff CameronHouston Dynamo
Week 32USA Kevin HartmanKansas City Wizards

Attendance

ClubGamesSeasonGame Avg.
Seattle Sounders FC15499,26230,897
Los Angeles Galaxy15333,23920,827
Toronto FC15305,16720,344
Real Salt Lake15303,13817,831
Houston Dynamo15264,36817,624
Chivas USA15251,61115,725
D.C. United15202,60515,585
Chicago Fire15247,90815,487
Columbus Crew15226,80814,175
Colorado Rapids15195,28213,018
New York Red Bulls15165,67212,744
New England Revolution15173,98512,427
San Jose Earthquakes15134,28310,329
Kansas City Wizards15150,80210,053
FC Dallas15108,7179,883
**Totals****225****3,562,847****16,120**

References

References

  1. King, Jeffrey J.. (September 13, 2009). "Dallas earns crucial win over Galaxy". Major League Soccer.
  2. Romero, José Miguel. (January 27, 2010). "Keeping Sounders FC together is key to long-range success". [[The Seattle Times]].
  3. "Save of the Week". MLSNet.com.
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