Changes From The 2008 Season
The following changes were made since the 2008 season:
- Seattle Sounders FC began play as an expansion team in the Western Conference.
- Two teams signed shirt sponsorship deals:
- Xbox 360 Live became the shirt sponsor of Seattle Sounders FC.
- Amway Global became the shirt sponsor of the San Jose Earthquakes.
- The top two teams from each conference will qualify automatically for the playoffs (down from three). In addition, the next four highest point totals, regardless of conference, will also qualify (up from two).
- Sigi Schmid did not sign a new contract with the Columbus Crew and was hired as head coach of Seattle Sounders FC.
- The Columbus Crew promoted assistant coach Robert Warzycha to head coach.
- After three seasons, the MLS Reserve Division 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 had the effect of reducing each team's total roster from 28 to 24 players.
Read more about this topic: 2009 Major League Soccer Season
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