2009 Schleswig-Holstein state election, Outcome, Legal challenge against the election result
After the election, a dispute arose regarding the electoral law. In Schleswig-Holstein, the standard size of the Landtag is 69 seats, of which 40 are single-member "direct mandates", and the remaining 29 are distributed based on compensatory proportional representation. German electoral law conventionally seeks to create overall proportionality in legislatures; ie, the ratio of seats distributed between each party should, as closely as possible, match the ratio of votes won between each party.


2009 Schleswig-Holstein state election, Outcome, Legal challenge against the election result
In the 2009 election, the CDU won a large majority of the 40 direct mandates, meaning it held 11 more seats than was proportional in the 69-seat Landtag. The Schleswig-Holstein electoral law contains provisions to allocate leveling seats in this situation. However, the wording of the electoral law was ambiguous, making it unclear whether 14 or 20 leveling seats should be added. On 16 October, the state returning officer stated that 14 seats should be added. The members of the electoral commission (the state returning officer and six party representatives) subsequently voted on this proposal, with 3 voting in favour, 2 against, and 2 abstentions. The returning officer, CDU, and FDP representatives voted in favour.


2009 Schleswig-Holstein state election, Outcome, Legal challenge against the election result
The size of the Landtag was therefore set to 95 seats. This left the CDU and FDP with 49 seats (a two-seat majority) while the SPD, Greens, Left, and SSW held 46 seats between them. This was despite the fact that the CDU and FDP had together won 744,950 votes (46.5%), fewer than the other four parties, which together won 772,475 (48.2%). This was because 14 leveling seats were not sufficient to create true proportionality, and the CDU was still overrepresented in the Landtag. If the electoral commission had allocated 20 leveling seats rather than 14, proportionality would have been achieved, and the CDU and FDP would have held 50 out of 101 seats, just short of a majority.


2009 Schleswig-Holstein state election, Outcome, Legal challenge against the election result
The Greens and SSW sought a legal challenge to the disproportionate result; The Left joined this challenge after the sitting of the new Landtag. The case was heard by the Constitutional Court of Schleswig-Holstein on 28 June 2010. The verdict, announced on 30 August, was that the electoral law was unconstitutional. The court ruled that the law must be changed by 31 May 2011, and a new state election held no later than 30 September 2012. However, the result from the 2009 election was allowed to stand, so the government continued with its majority intact.


2009 Schleswig-Holstein state election, Outcome, Legal challenge against the election result
A new electoral law was passed by the Landtag on 25 March 2011, and on 7 June, the election date was set for 6 May 2012.


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
The 2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian women's national curling championship, was held from February 21 to March 1 at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia.


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Jennifer Jones Third: Cathy Overton-Clapham Second: Jill Officer Lead: Dawn Askin Alternate: Jennifer Clark-Rouire


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Cheryl Bernard Third: Susan O'Connor Second: Carolyn Darbyshire Lead: Cori Bartel Alternate: Karen Russ


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Marla Mallett Third: Grace MacInnes Second: Diane Gushulak Lead: Jacalyn Brown Alternate: Adina Tasaka


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Barb Spencer Third: Darcy Robertson Second: Brette Richards Lead: Barb Enright Alternate: Kristy Jenion


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Andrea Kelly Third: Denise Nowlan Second: Jodie DeSolla Lead: Lianne Sobey Alternate: Melissa Adams


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Heather Strong Third: Cathy Cunningham Second: Laura Strong Lead: Peg Goss Alternate: Susan O'Leary


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Nancy McConnery Third: Jennifer Crouse Second: Sheena Gilman Lead: Jill Thomas Alternate: Colleen Pinkney


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Krista McCarville Third: Tara George Second: Kari MacLean Lead: Lorraine Lang Alternate: Ashley Miharija


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Fourth: Robyn MacPhee Skip: Rebecca Jean MacPhee Second: Shelley Muzika Lead: Tammi Lowther Alternate: Nacy Cameron


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Marie-France Larouche Third: Nancy Bélanger Second: Annie Lemay Lead: Joëlle Sabourin Alternate: Veronique Brassard


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Stefanie Lawton Third: Marliese Kasner Second: Sherri Singler Lead: Lana Vey Alternate: Teejay Surik


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Kerry Galusha Third: Dawn Moses Second: Shona Barbour Lead: Heather McCagg Alternate: Sharon Cormier


2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Round-Robin Standings
Quebec was awarded 2nd Place by virtue of the pre tournament draw to the button plus victories over Team PEI and Team Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan was awarded 3rd place by virtue of having beaten both Team Canada and Team PEI during the round robin.


2009 Scottish Challenge Cup Final
The 2009 Scottish Challenge Cup Final was played on 22 November 2009 at McDiarmid Park in Perth and was the 19th Scottish Challenge Cup Final. The final was contested by Dundee and Inverness CT. Dundee won the match 3–2.


2009 Scottish Cup Final
The 2009 Scottish Cup Final was the final of the 124th season of the main domestic football cup competition in Scotland, the Scottish Cup. The final was played at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 30 May 2009. The match was contested by Rangers, who were defending the trophy having won the 2008 final, and Falkirk who last won the Cup in 1957.


2009 Scottish Cup Final
Falkirk were contesting a Scottish Cup final for only the fourth time in their history, while it was Rangers' 51st appearance (winning 32 times and losing 17, with one final (1909) resulting in the cup being withheld). It was Rangers' second cup final of the season, having lost to Celtic in the League Cup Final on 15 March 2009.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Route to the Final, Rangers
Rangers first match of the 2008–09 Scottish Cup was away to Scottish First Division leaders St Johnstone. The match at McDiarmid Park was played on a Tuesday night due to BBC Sport Scotland's live coverage. An own goal from Saints defender Stuart McCaffrey gave Rangers the lead just before half-time and a late Nacho Novo strike with ten minutes left made the game safe.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Route to the Final, Rangers
The match against Scottish Third Division side Forfar Athletic was to be shown on Sky Sports and was therefore originally planned as a lunchtime kick-off on Sunday 8 February but was postponed due to a frozen pitch, the game was rescheduled and played on Wednesday 18 February. Rangers took an early lead in the match thanks to a Saša Papac goal after only eight minutes but the team could not add to their advantage until after half-time. A Kenny Miller double and Aarón Ñíguez's first Rangers goal ensured the team's progress in a 4–0 win.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Route to the Final, Rangers
The quarter-final was the first tie played at Ibrox by Rangers in the Scottish cup that season. The game ended in a convincing 5–1 win over Scottish Premier League side Hamilton Academical. The scoring was opened by Steven Whittaker before Hamilton's Rocco Quinn equalised. Rangers again took the lead through Kyle Lafferty before Aarón Ñíguez netted a retaken penalty as half time approached. Hamilton played most of the second half with 10 men due to injuries, goals after the break from Steven Davis and another from Kyle Lafferty completed the win.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Route to the Final, Rangers
The semi-final at Hampden Park was played against fellow Scottish Premier League side St Mirren. After just 75 seconds of the match Rangers were ahead through an Andrius Velička goal. Kris Boyd's 100th Rangers goal after 66 minutes made it 2–0 and a Kenny Miller goal twenty minutes from time saw Rangers through to their second successive final.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Route to the Final, Falkirk
Falkirk's first Scottish Cup match of the season was against the runners-up from the previous season, Queen of the South. Falkirk took the lead after Craig Barr fouled Graham Barrett, Scott Arfield converted the penalty. Queen's equalised five minutes later through a deflected Barry Wilson strike to leave the score level at half-time. Despite a superb free kick by Bob Harris to give Queen of the South a 2–1 lead, Falkirk went on to score a further three goals to win 4–2. A Graham Barrett double and a second from Arfield.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Route to the Final, Falkirk
The Bairns faced Scottish Premier League opposition in the next round in the shape of Heart of Midlothian. A Steve Lovell header after 59 minutes sent Hearts out of the Cup in a game which saw two red cards, one for each side. Heart's Marius Žaliūkas was sent-off after wrestling Carl Finnigan to the ground and Falkirk's Arfield was shown red for a second bookable offence.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Route to the Final, Falkirk
A trip to the Highlands ensued for the quarter-final after Falkirk were drawn away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. A victory was secured by a Carl Finnigan penalty after 31 minutes when Lionel Djebi-Zadi was sent off for grappling with the striker inside the penalty box.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Route to the Final, Falkirk
The semi-final match against Dunfermline Athletic was played at Hampden Park despite the Scottish Football Association offering to change the match to a different venue. Tam Scobbie opened the scoring when he knocked a Neil McCann free kick into the Pars goal with his shoulder early in the second half. The win was assured after Scott Arfield converted a penalty in the 89th minute, McCann had won the spot kick after being brought down by Dunfermline's Greg Ross.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Background
Rangers went into the match as 32-time winners of the competition; they were the defending champions having won in 2008, this was their 50th final overall. Falkirk won the cup in 1913 and 1957; they reached the final in 1997 but lost.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Background
Rangers had just won the Scottish Premier League to become Scottish champions and Falkirk had narrowly avoided relegation from the SPL; both had done so in the last match of their respective league seasons. The two teams had met each other four times that season three league meetings which were all won by Rangers and a Scottish League Cup Semi-final which Rangers also won.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Background
Falkirk had not beaten Rangers in any competition since an SPL meeting in December 2006, They had last met Rangers in the Scottish Cup in a 1998–99 Quarter-final which Rangers won 2–1, The last time they beat Rangers in a cup competition was in the 1994–95 League Cup, They had never previously met in a Cup Final.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Pre-match, Ticket allocation
Rangers were allocated 24,890 tickets for the final, while Falkirk received 11,740 tickets with another 3,200 available if needed. Falkirk had originally wanted an allocation similar to Rangers. All Falkirk season ticket holders were guaranteed a seat for the final. SFA spokesman Rob Shorthouse told BBC Scotland at the end of April that it would be fair to both clubs and wanted to avoid unsold tickets being returned. Both semi-finals at Hampden were well below the 52,000 stadium capacity, with only 32,341 supporters watching Rangers beat St Mirren 3–0 in the first semi-final at Hampden, while 17,124 watched Falkirk's victory over Dunfermline 24 hours later.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Pre-match, Ticket allocation
On 27 May 2009, it was reported that Falkirk had failed to sell its originally allocation of tickets, only 12,200 to date, this meant that the club would be limited to 13,000 tickets in total. Meanwhile, Rangers were given an additional 3,000 tickets on top of there allocation which would now mean that the Glasgow club had a total of 28,000 for the final. Despite this, Falkirk supporters turned up in their droves to support their club, the official match attendance being recorded at 50,956.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Pre-match, Gowans asked to lead out Falkirk
As a mark of respect for a former Falkirk youth team player, Craig Gowans, who died in a tragic accident at the club's old training ground in July 2005, Bairns manager John Hughes asked Gowans' father, John, to lead out the team at Hampden Park.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Match, Team news
Rangers were missing midfielder Kevin Thomson, who was ruled out until the following season after knee ligament damage sustained in November 2008, and defender Kirk Broadfoot due to a foot injury. There were fitness concerns over Pedro Mendes and Maurice Edu who were both suffering from thigh injuries.


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Match, Team news
Falkirk were without on-loan midfielder Arnau Riera due to a suspension he picked up in the semi-final against Dunfermline Athletic, he since returned to parent club Sunderland only to be released on 28 May 2009. Ex-Rangers players Steven Pressley and Neil McCann returned from suspension and injury respectively. Both players were missing from the final Scottish Premier League match of the season


2009 Scottish Cup Final, Media coverage
In the UK the 2009 Scottish Cup Final was shown live on BBC One Scotland, Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports HD2. In Australia it was shown live on Setanta Sports. A highlights package of the Scottish Cup final was shown on BBC One Scotland at 2200 BST on the day of the match.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final
The 2009 Scottish League Cup Final was the final match of the 2008–09 Scottish League Cup, the 62nd season of the Scottish League Cup. The match was played at Hampden Park, Glasgow on 15 March 2009, and was won by Celtic, who beat Old Firm rivals and Cup holders, Rangers, 2-0 after extra time.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final
Both teams had to play just three matches to reach the final because teams competing in Europe received a bye into the Third Round. In the semi-finals, Celtic beat Dundee United 11–10 on penalties after the match ended 0–0 following extra time. Rangers beat Falkirk 3–0 in their Semi-final.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final, Route to the Final, Celtic
Celtic faced First Division Livingston at Celtic Park in their first match, a comfortable 4–0 victory was secured with goals from Glenn Loovens, Georgios Samaras and Scott Brown. Loovens headed into the net from a cross by Paul Caddis, Samaras added the second with a header from Loovens cross shortly after the hour. Brown added the third with a lob before Samaras got his second from the penalty spot, after Dave MacKay fouled Shaun Maloney in the penalty area.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final, Route to the Final, Celtic
Celtic then travelled to Rugby Park to play Kilmarnock, Scott McDonald scored the opener after 10 minutes with a header, the matches first effort on goal from either side, Shunsuke Nakamura scored the second with a free-kick. Aiden McGeady ended the scoring from a Scott Brown pass, just 3 minutes after Danny Invincibile had given Kilmarnock a chance. The previous season's losing finalists Dundee United were Celtic's opponents in the Semi-final at Hampden, The match ended goalless after extra time and so was decided by a penalty shootout.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final, Route to the Final, Celtic
An astonishing climax ensued with all 10 penalties being scored before going to sudden death. Lee Wilkie; who had missed the penalty in the previous season's final which allowed Rangers to win the cup, missed United's ninth penalty, Glenn Loovens therefore had a chance to win the match but could not score either.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final, Route to the Final, Celtic
Another two penalties scored and it was goalkeeper time, Łukasz Załuska who would join Celtic the following season scored his and Artur Boruc did likewise, It was back to the first taker Willo Flood, who would join Celtic shortly after this match, could not convert and this time Celtic did take their chance to go through with Scott McDonald scoring the winning penalty.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final, Route to the Final, Rangers
As both Rangers and Celtic had been competing in Europe, they entered the competition in the third round. Rangers began their campaign against fellow Glasgow team Partick Thistle from the First Division, the third meeting between the two teams in two seasons. Partick had taken Rangers to a replay following a 1–1 draw at Ibrox in the 2007–08 Scottish Cup quarter-finals, a competition which Rangers went on to win. Kris Boyd opened the scoring with a stunning volley, but the lead lasted only eight minutes, with Stephen McKeown equalising for Thistle.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final, Route to the Final, Rangers
Pedro Mendes scored the winner deep into extra time following a goalless second half. Hamilton Academical were beaten 2–0 at Ibrox in the quarter-final. Jean-Claude Darcheville found Kris Boyd, who fired past goalkeeper Tomáš Černý after 25 minutes. Kyle Lafferty added the second from a Steven Davis cross. Falkirk were the next opponents. Two goals from Nacho Novo and one from Kris Boyd ensured a 3–0 victory at Hampden Park. After eight minutes, Madjid Bougherra flicked on Pedro Mendes' corner, allowing Novo to finish from close range at the back post. Goalkeeper Dani Mallo was beaten again five minutes from half-time when Steven Davis passed to Novo, who shot low into the corner of the net. Boyd added the third on eight minutes after a mistake by Mallo.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final, Match, Team news
Celtic defender Mark Wilson returned to the squad and was named on the bench but Barry Robson missed out through injury. Strachan started Gary Caldwell in midfield alongside Paul Hartley to replace Robson. Also missing through injury for Celtic were Lee Naylor, Shaun Maloney, Paddy McCourt, Koki Mizuno and Willo Flood who was ineligible, having played for Dundee United in the semi-final.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final, Match, Team news
A big miss for Rangers was influential defender Madjid Bougherra with a calf injury so manager Walter Smith chose to partner Kirk Broadfoot at the back alongside David Weir. The only other absentee was Kevin Thomson who was ruled out for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final, Match, Team news
Celtic's Glenn Loovens and Rangers' Pedro Mendes were lining up against each other, having also done so in the previous season's English FA Cup Final. On that occasion, Loovens was playing for Cardiff City and Mendes for winners Portsmouth.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final, Match, Match summary
After a goalless 90 minutes, the tie went to extra time. Darren O'Dea scored with a header to give Celtic a 1–0 lead, within two minutes of extra time commencing. In the last minute of extra time, Kirk Broadfoot was sent off for a professional foul on Aiden McGeady to give Celtic a penalty kick, which McGeady scored to confirm the win.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final, Media coverage
In the UK the 2009 Scottish League Cup Final was broadcast live on BBC One Scotland on their Sportscene programme, at 14:30 GMT. A highlights package was also broadcast late on 15 March 2009 on BBC One Scotland also on Sportscene.


2009 Scottish League Cup Final, Media coverage
Coverage of the match on radio was from BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC Radio 5 Live.


2009 Scream Awards
The Scream Awards is an award show dedicated to the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy genres of feature films, hosted and sponsored by Spike TV. The show was created by executive producers Michael Levitt, Cindy Levitt, and Casey Patterson.


2009 Scream Awards
Billed simply as Scream 2009, the 2009 ceremony was held at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on October 17 and was broadcast on October 27, 2009.


2009 Scream Awards
Instead of hosts and musical acts, the show concentrated on the films, showing outtakes from Star Trek, a behind the scenes video from the upcoming New Moon, a new trailer for Shutter Island, among others.


2009 Scream Awards
Notable appearances included William Shatner accepting the Ultimate Scream award for J. J. Abrams' reboot of the Star Trek franchise.


2009 Scream Awards
This was the first year that the show did not have any musical performances.


2009 Scream Awards, Competitive Categories
Nominees and winners for each announced category are listed below. Winners are listed in boldface.


2009 Seattle Mariners season
The 2009 Seattle Mariners season was the 33rd season in franchise history. They improved upon a disappointing 2008 season, where they finished last in the American League West with a 61–101 record. They finished 3rd in the AL West with an 85–77 record, a 24 win improvement. The 2009 Mariners became the 13th team in MLB history to have a winning record following a 100+ loss season. On September 13, 2009, Ichiro Suzuki got his 200th hit of the season. In the process, he set a new MLB record by getting at least 200 hits for nine consecutive seasons, passing the mark held by Wee Willie Keeler.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Overview
Even before Opening Day, the season was marked with a flurry of change, most notably with the hiring of new general manager Jack Zduriencik, field manager Don Wakamatsu, and an entirely new major-league coaching staff. Unlike the previous season, which was approached with an expectation to contend for the AL West division title, the 2009 season has been approached with a rebuilding philosophy and a departure from the team-building strategies used in previous seasons. In January the Mariners unveiled their 2009 slogan, "A New Day, A New Way", to reflect their rebuilding philosophy.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Overview
In terms of players, this season was marked by the free agency departure of outfielder Raúl Ibáñez, who signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, and the trade of closer J. J. Putz to the New York Mets. However, the offseason has been most notable for the acquisition of longtime Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr., nearly 10 years after trading him to the Cincinnati Reds. Other notable acquisitions have included outfielders Franklin Gutiérrez and Endy Chávez (both from the Putz trade), new closer David Aardsma (traded by Boston Red Sox) and long-time Kansas City Royals infielder Mike Sweeney (free agent).


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Overview
This season also marks the 10th anniversary of Safeco Field, the Mariners' home stadium which opened its gates July 15, 1999.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Offseason, Front office changes
We believe Jack is the best person to provide a new approach and to lead our baseball operations. He has a proven track record of recognizing talent, both on the field and in the front office.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Offseason, Front office changes
— Mariners president Chuck Armstrong on the hiring of Jack Zduriencik .


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Offseason, Front office changes
On June 16, 2008, then-general manager Bill Bavasi was dismissed after a disappointing 24–46 start, with vice president-assistant GM Lee Pelekoudas selected as his interim replacement. During the off-season, the Mariners began their search for a new general manager with several candidates to be interviewed including Pelekoudas himself.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Offseason, Front office changes
After an extensive search, the Mariners selected Milwaukee Brewers executive Jack Zduriencik, who was most notable for his drafting skills and credited with turning the Brewers into a playoff team, as their new general manager on October 22, 2008. Pelekoudas was retained as assistant GM, but resigned on September 1, 2009.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Offseason, Coaching changes
In addition to relieving GM Bill Bavasi of his duties, the Mariners also fired manager John McLaren on June 19, 2008. Bench coach Jim Riggleman was selected as the interim manager for the rest of the 2008 season.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Offseason, Coaching changes
On November 19, 2008, the Mariners named Oakland Athletics bench coach Don Wakamatsu as their new manager. With the hiring, Wakamatsu becomes the first Asian-American manager in Major League Baseball. Wakamatsu then dismissed all of the coaching staff hired under the McLaren-Riggleman tenure, and hired Ty Van Burkleo as bench coach and Lee Tinsley as first base coach, while Rick Adair and John Wetteland were hired as the pitching and bullpen coaches respectively. Alan Cockrell was brought in as the new hitting coach.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Offseason, Roster changes, Key departures
Raúl Ibáñez, who led the team in RBIs in 2008, signed a 3-year, $31.5 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies after a five-year tenure with the Mariners. Ibáñez, who was a Type A free agent, allowed the Mariners to receive the Phillies' first round pick in the 2009 MLB draft and also a compensatory pick as well.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Offseason, Roster changes, Key departures
On December 10, in a three-team trade, Zduriencik sent former All-Star closer J. J. Putz, outfielder Jeremy Reed and pitcher Sean Green to the New York Mets and prospect Luis Valbuena to the Cleveland Indians, in exchange for a combined seven players from both teams, most notably the Indians' Franklin Gutiérrez and the Mets' Endy Chávez.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Offseason, Roster changes, Key departures
On July 10, the Mariners sent shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for two minor-league pitchers.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Offseason, Roster changes, Key additions
The Mariners made numerous additions in free agency, adding over 17 players to the team. On December 3, the Mariners made their first move in the offseason by signing 1B Russell Branyan to a one-year deal. Branyan was one of the players that Zdurienck saw potential in during his time with the Brewers. Mike Sweeney, formerly a fan favorite and leader in the Royals organization, was signed as well to a minor-league deal.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Offseason, Roster changes, Key additions
Next, the Mariners received 7 players in the three team trade (see above) that netted them outfielders Endy Chávez and Franklin Gutierrez, pitcher Aaron Heilman, and four other minor leaguers including prospect Mike Carp and pitcher Jason Vargas. Heilman, however, would be traded to the Chicago Cubs almost a month later, in exchange for utility player Ronny Cedeño and pitcher Garrett Olson. Seattle also traded for pitcher David Aardsma from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a minor leaguer.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Offseason, Roster changes, Key additions
Perhaps the biggest move in the offseason, however, was the signing of former Mariner Ken Griffey, Jr. to a 1-year deal. Griffey, who was known as the man who "saved baseball in Seattle", received a warm welcome and a fifteen-minute presentation that applauds his tenure as a Mariner when his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, visited Safeco Field in 2007. Surprised by the reaction, Griffey explored the possibility of a return in Seattle. The Mariners reportedly were trying to negotiate with Griffey until the Atlanta Braves also want to sign him as well. Griffey was inclined to sign with Atlanta due to the proximity from his home, but choose to instead return to Seattle. Most, if not all, Mariners fans were ecstatic about the news, and orders of Griffey jerseys were off the charts.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Pitching, Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started (for pitchers who did not start every appearance); IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Pitching, Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; SVO = Save opportunities; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Pitching, Team totals
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; SVO = Save opportunities; CG = Complete games; SHO = Shutouts; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Major League Baseball Draft
Below is a complete list of the Seattle Mariners draft picks from the two 2009 Major League Baseball drafts.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Major League Baseball Draft
The Seattle Mariners took part in both the Major League Baseball Rule 4 draft and the Rule 5 draft in 2009.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Major League Baseball Draft
The 2009 Major League Baseball draft was held June 9 to June 11 at the MLB Network Studios in New York City. The Seattle Mariners went second in the draft order and had two supplemental first-round draft picks for the loss of free agent Raúl Ibáñez after the 2008 season. The Mariners selected a total of 52 players and signed 35 of those selected players.


2009 Seattle Mariners season, Major League Baseball Draft
The Mariners selected one player in the Major League Baseball phase of the 2009 Rule 5 draft. They also had one player selected (Marshall Hubbard) in the 2009 Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft. The Mariners also selected one player in the Triple-A phase of the draft as well.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season
The 2009  Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 34th season in the National Football League, the 8th playing their home games at Qwest Field and the first and only season under head coach Jim Mora. The Seahawks slightly improved from their 4–12 record and a third-place finish in what was Mike Holmgren's final season coaching the team in 2008 and finished with a 5–11 record. However, Mora was fired January 8, 2010.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, Staff changes
With Jim Mora we are getting a smart, passionate, committed coach to winning and building a successful franchise.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, Staff changes
— General Manager Tim Ruskell on hiring Jim Mora as head coach.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, Staff changes
At the beginning of the 2008 season, head coach Mike Holmgren had stated that 2008 was his final season before retiring. On December 30, 2008, two days after the season ended, Holmgren officially retired and stepped down as head coach. Jim Mora, the team's assistant head coach and defensive backs coach, was officially selected as his replacement on January 13, 2009. The retirement and Jim Mora's accession had been originally announced on January 22, 2008.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, Staff changes
Mora then began to replace most of the staff that Holmgren had last year. Defensive coordinator John Marshall and defensive line coach Dwaine Board were both fired on January 12, 2009. Subsequently, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebackers coach Casey Bradley was hired as the new defensive coordinator. Also, former New York Jets assistant Dan Quinn replaced Board as the defensive line coach and as the new assistant head coach.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, Staff changes
The offensive side was also revamped as well. Offensive coordinator Gil Haskell was dismissed after 8 years with the Seahawks. Former Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, who had previously worked with Mora when he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, was hired as his replacement on January 14, 2009. Mora also fired wide receivers coach Keith Gilbertson and was replaced with former Jacksonville Jaguars assistant receivers coach Robert Prince. Finally, tight ends coach Jim Lind and special teams assistant John Jamison both retired after the 2008 season. Mike DeBord, formerly the offensive line assistant coach, replaced Lind although no replacement has been named for Jamison.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, Key departures
Running back Maurice Morris, who backed up starter Julius Jones last season, signed with the Detroit Lions. The Seahawks also lost defensive tackle Rocky Bernard to the New York Giants. Fan favorite Bobby Engram was released and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after the Seahawks signed wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh. The Seahawks were also in talks with fullback Leonard Weaver about a new contract, but ultimately he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles instead. Also, the Seahawks traded away Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson to the Lions. In all, the Seahawks lost a total of 14 players to free agency.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, Key departures
Linebacker Leroy Hill was placed under the franchise tag on February 19, 2009. However, discussions for a long-term deal between Hill and the Seahawks were slow, and they continued to stall up to the draft. In an effort to speed up negotiations, the Seahawks removed their franchise tag on Hill less than 24 hours within the first draft day, thereby releasing him to free agency and allowing him to sign with other teams. However, on April 30, 2009, Hill agreed to a six-year, 38 million-dollar deal with the Seahawks.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, Key departures
Moments after signing Edgerrin James to a one-year deal, the Seahawks released running back T. J. Duckett to make room on their roster. Duckett had led the team in rushing touchdowns the previous year.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, Key departures
Safety Brian Russell was also released on September 5, 2009. Russell had started at safety for the Seahawks since coming in at the start of the 2007 season. Strong safety Lawyer Milloy was signed after Russell's departure to fill his spot (along with Jordan Babineaux).


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, Key additions
The Seahawks made big splashes during the offseason as well. On March 1, Seattle signed defensive tackle Colin Cole from the Green Bay Packers to a 5-year contract to address problems on their defensive line. They also received defensive tackle Cory Redding and a fifth round pick in exchange for the Peterson trade mentioned above.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, Key additions
Perhaps the biggest move in free agency, however, was the signing of former Pro Bowl wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh from the Cincinnati Bengals to a 5-year, $40 million deal with $15 million guaranteed two days after signing Cole. Houshmandzadeh was rated as one of the top free agents available.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, Key additions
After rescinding their franchise tag on Hill, the Seahawks signed former Carolina Panthers corner back Ken Lucas to a one-year deal in order to bolster their pass coverage. They also signed fullback Justin Griffith from the Oakland Raiders to address the departure of Weaver. It was known that releasing of Hill created some flexibility on the salary cap of where these two deals go into play.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, Key additions
On August 25, 2009, the Seahawks signed running back Edgerrin James to a 1-year, $2 million deal. James last played with division rival Arizona Cardinals for the previous three seasons and played a vital role in their playoff run last year. The Seahawks also signed veteran safety Lawyer Milloy to a one-year deal, who is expected to make a big impact to the team.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, 2009 NFL Draft
Seattle traded their 5th round draft pick to the Denver Broncos for wide receiver Keary Colbert, but received another 5th round draft pick from Detroit.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Offseason, 2009 NFL Draft
On draft day, the Seahawks traded away their 2nd round pick (37th overall) to the Denver Broncos for their 2010 1st round pick. They also traded for Chicago's 2nd round pick (49th overall) in return for both their 3rd and 4th round picks in the draft (68th and 105th respectively). Finally, the Seahawks traded for Philadelphia's 3rd round pick (91st overall) for their 2010 3rd round pick and their 5th and 7th round picks in the draft (137th and 213rd respectively).


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Schedule, Regular season
Divisional matchups have the NFC West playing the NFC North and the AFC South.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 1: vs. St. Louis Rams
Head Coach Jim Mora era began his coaching debut for the Seahawks with a game at home against division rival St. Louis Rams. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and the offense struggled early, turning over the ball three times (two interceptions and one fumble) on the first quarter alone. After Rams kicker Olindo Mare missed a 37-yard field goal for the lead, Hasselbeck led the Seahawks to their first score of the game after he connected with tight end John Carlson for a touchdown.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 1: vs. St. Louis Rams
With the second quarter coming to a close, St. Louis returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown, only to have it overruled by a penalty. This gave another chance for the Seahawks to score, as Hasselbeck threw his second touchdown of the game to Nate Burleson to put the Seahawks up 14–0 by halftime.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 1: vs. St. Louis Rams
When the third quarter started, the Seahawks looked to increase its lead to win the game. Hasselbeck led the Seahawks to a 99-yard drive, capping it off 33-yard touchdown pass to Carlson. Julius Jones sealed the win with a 62-yard touchdown (and rushing 119 in total) run to put Seattle up by 28. The Seahawks defense shut out the Rams, as they totaled only 247 total yards on offense and forcing two fumbles and three sacks. Seattle moved to 1–0 to start off the season, and beat the Rams for the ninth straight time.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers
Coming off their shutout home win over the Rams, the Seahawks flew to Candlestick Park for a Week 2 NFC West showdown with the San Francisco 49ers.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers
Seattle trailed early in the first quarter as 49ers kicker Joe Nedney got a 37-yard field goal, along with running back Frank Gore getting a 79-yard touchdown run. The Seahawks responded in the second quarter as kicker Olindo Mare made a 36-yard field goal. San Francisco replied with Nedney making a 42-yard field goal. As the Seahawks looked to bounced back from the deficit, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck received an injury as he was hit on the ground by 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis. Hasselbeck left the game with cracked ribs, but Seattle closed out the half with backup Seneca Wallace completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to running back Julius Jones.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers
In the third quarter, the Seahawks deficit quickly increased as on the 49ers' first offensive play of the second half, Gore exploded for an 80-yard touchdown run. San Francisco closed the game in the fourth quarter as Nedney nailed a 39-yard field goal.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 3: vs. Chicago Bears
Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the 49ers, the Seahawks went home, donned their alternate uniforms, and prepared for a Week 3 duel with the Chicago Bears. Due to quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's rib injury, Seneca Wallace got the start for the game.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 3: vs. Chicago Bears
Seattle took an early lead in the first quarter with Wallace's 39-yard touchdown pass to running back Julius Jones and kicker Olindo Mare's 46-yard field goal. The Seahawks tacked on Mare's 37-yard field goal in the second quarter, but the Bears answered with quarterback Jay Cutler's 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Greg Olsen.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 3: vs. Chicago Bears
Chicago took in the lead in the third quarter with Cutler's 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Johnny Knox, followed by kicker Robbie Gould's 37-yard field goal. The Seahawks regained the lead in the fourth quarter with Mare's 39-yard and 46-yard field goal. However, the Bears got the last laugh as Cutler hooked up with wide receiver Devin Hester on a 36-yard touchdown pass (with a successful 2-point conversion pass to wide receiver Earl Bennett). Seattle tried to rally, but Chicago's defense held on for the win.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 4: at Indianapolis Colts
Trying to snap a two-game losing streak, the Seahawks flew to Lucas Oil Stadium for a Week 4 inter-conference duel with the Indianapolis Colts. Seattle trailed as Colts running back Donald Brown got a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, followed by quarterback Peyton Manning's 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne. The Seahawks got on the board with a 38-yard field goal from kicker Olindo Mare, but Indianapolis closed out the half with Manning's 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Austin Collie.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 4: at Indianapolis Colts
Following running back Joseph Addai's 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, the Colts sealed the win with kicker Adam Vinatieri's 37-yard and 19-yard field goals. Seattle ended the scoring with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck getting a 1-yard touchdown run and completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to fullback Owen Schmitt.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 5: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
After missing two weeks with cracked ribs, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck played for the first time since week two at San Francisco. Trying to snap a three-game losing streak, Hasselbeck started the offense off quickly, with Olindo Mare completing two field goals to put Seattle up by 6. The Seahawks defense also held its own, including a 4th-and-2 stop when the Jaguars threaten to score in the red zone. Later in the 2nd quarter, Hasselbeck found wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh for his first touchdown of the year, putting Seattle up 13–0. On their next offensive drive, Hasselbeck connected with Nate Burleson for another touchdown, extending their lead to 20–0, which they took into halftime.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 5: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Starting the third quarter on offense, David Garrard and the Jaguars tried to put some points on the board. However, all of their hopes were dashed when defensive end Cory Redding recovered a key fumble for 26 yards. Taking advantage of this, Hasselbeck again found Houshmandzadeh for his second touchdown to seal the game at 27–0. The Seahawks later scored again as Hasselbeck threw his fourth touchdown again to Burleson, while defensive end Nick Reed scored from 79 yards out from a fumble recovery, putting the Seahawks up 41–0.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 5: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
With the win, the Seahawks improved to 2–3 for the season.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 6: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Fresh off their dominating win over the Jaguars, the Seahawks stayed at home for a Week 6 NFC West duel with the Arizona Cardinals. Seattle trailed in the first quarter as Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, followed by running back Tim Hightower's 2-yard touchdown run. Arizona increased its lead in the second quarter with a 29-yard field goal from kicker Neil Rackers. The Seahawks then got on the board as kicker Olindo Mare nailed a 28-yard field goal. However, the Cardinals took control in the second half as Warner found wide receiver Steve Breaston on a 16-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, followed by Rackers' 31-yard field goal in the fourth.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 6: vs. Arizona Cardinals
With the loss, Seattle went into their bye week at 2–4.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys
Hoping to rebound from their divisional home loss to the Cardinals, the Seahawks flew to Cowboys Stadium for a Week 8 showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, Seattle struck first as kicker Olindo Mare got a 43-yard field goal. However, the Cowboys answered with quarterback Tony Romo's 36-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Sam Hurd. Dallas increased their lead in the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run from running back Marion Barber. The Seahawks replied with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck completing a 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Deion Branch, but Dallas came right back with Romo finding wide receiver Roy Williams on a 7-yard touchdown pass.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys took a huge lead with Romo's 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Miles Austin, followed by wide receiver Patrick Crayton returning a punt 82 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Dallas closed out its scoring with a 40-yard field goal from kicker Nick Folk. Seattle tried to rally, but could only muster up Hasselbeck's 4-yard touchdown pass to fullback Justin Griffith.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions
Trying to snap a two-game losing streak, the Seahawks went home for a Week 9 duel with the Detroit Lions. Seattle trailed in the first quarter as Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brandon Pettigrew and a 29-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Bryant Johnson, followed by kicker Jason Hanson getting a 41-yard field goal. Seattle answered in the second quarter as running back Julius Jones got a 3-yard touchdown run, followed by kicker Olindo Mare nailing a pair of 37-yard field goals.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions
In the third quarter, the Seahawks took the lead as Mare got a 24-yard field goal, while quarterback Matt Hasselbeck hooked up with wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh on a 2-yard touchdown pass (with a failed two-point conversion). Seattle increased their lead in the fourth quarter as Mare booted a 20-yard field goal. Detroit tried to rally as Hanson made a 50-yard field goal, but the Seahawks ended the scoring with cornerback Josh Wilson returning an interception 61 yards for a touchdown.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 10: at Arizona Cardinals
Coming off their home win over the Lions, the Seahawks flew to the University of Phoenix Stadium for a Week 10 NFC West rematch with the Arizona Cardinals. Seattle took flight in the first quarter as running back Justin Forsett got an 11-yard touchdown run. The Seahawks added to their lead in the second quarter with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck completing a 31-yard touchdown pass to tight end John Carlson. The Cardinals answered with quarterback Kurt Warner completing a 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Breaston, yet Seattle came right back with a 32-yard field goal from kicker Olindo Mare. Arizona closed out the half with kicker Neil Rackers nailing a 27-yard field goal.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 10: at Arizona Cardinals
In the third quarter, the Cardinals tied the game with running back Chris "Beanie" Wells getting a 10-yard touchdown run. The Seahawks responded in the fourth quarter as Mare booted a 20-yard field goal, but Arizona got the last laugh as Wells picked up a 13-yard touchdown run and Warner hooked up with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on an 18-yard touchdown pass.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings
Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Cardinals, the Seahawks flew to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome for an Inter conference duel with the Minnesota Vikings.


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings
Seattle trailed early in the second quarter when QB Brett Favre completed three touchdown passes: One to WR Percy Harvin for 23 yards, TE Visanthe Shiancoe for 8 yards and then to WR Bernard Berrian for 3 yards. Then in the third quarter the margin increased as Favre hooked up with WR Sidney Rice on a 7-yard touchdown pass. Then Seattle's kicker Olindo Mare got a 40-yard field goal to avoid a shutout loss. In the fourth quarter the margin increased even further as QB Tarvaris Jackson made a 34-yard touchdown pass to WR Sidney Rice, then Seattle has their first touchdown of this game when RB Justin Forsett made a 1-yard run (With a failed 2-point conversion attempt).


2009 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 17: vs. Tennessee Titans
Chris Johnson became the sixth player in NFL history to break 2,000 rushing yards and also broke the record (held by Marshall Faulk) of total yards from scrimmage at 2,509. Johnson rushed 36 times for 134 yards and two touchdowns; a 64-yard rushing score was called back on a holding penalty. Matt Hasselbeck was 15–30 for 175 yards, one touchdown, and one pick.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season
The 2009 season was Seattle Sounders FC's debut in Major League Soccer. The inaugural game was on March 19, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington against the New York Red Bulls. Sounders FC beat the Red Bulls 3–0 in front of a sell-out crowd.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season
On August 5, 2009, Sounders FC set a stadium and Washington record for most people watching a soccer game against FC Barcelona with an attendance of 66,848.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Background
In a press conference on November 13, 2007, MLS announced the award of an MLS expansion team franchise to Seattle. In 2008, Sounders FC developed the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila and the USL team played most of the 2008 season at the updated facility. At the time, the USL team's management thought that practicing and playing at Starfire could provide more continuity and a smoother transition for those hoping to play for the new MLS franchise.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Background
In early December 2008, Seattle Sounders FC reportedly offered a coaching contract to Sigi Schmid, who led the Los Angeles Galaxy to a MLS Cup in 2002 and the Columbus Crew to a MLS Cup in 2008. However, before Schmid could respond to the contract offer, the ownership of the Columbus Crew filed a tampering complaint with the MLS that put the offer on hold. The Crew's ownership complained that Schmid had communicated with Sounders FC during the 2008 season, despite being denied permission to do so, and that he shared confidential information with Sounders FC after leaving the Crew.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Background
The MLS ruled that no tampering occurred, but ordered Sounders FC to financially compensate the Crew before signing Schmid. Sounders FC officially introduced Schmid as their first coach on December 16. Former USL Sounders player and head coach Brian Schmetzer was retained as the top assistant coach, and Tom Dutra was selected as goalkeeper coach. Retired Major League Soccer veteran defender Ezra Hendrickson joined the Sounders as an assistant coach in January, 2009. Former MLS player and Everett, Washington, native Chris Henderson was named technical director on January 24, 2008. Joining Henderson in the front office is longtime Seattle Seahawks VP Gary Wright as the senior vice president of business operations. Drew Carey was named the chairman of the Membership Association.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Background, Signings and drafts
Seattle Sounders FC was given first negotiation rights to any player that was not drafted in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft and joined the USL Sounders for the 2008 season. The team was also allowed to promote as many players from the 2008 USL Sounders squad as they'd chose, as long as the player's rights were not controlled by another team. Seattle Sounders FC officially announced the 2007 USL First Division MVP and former USL Sounder Sébastien Le Toux as its first signing on May 7, 2008.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Background, Signings and drafts
On August 14, 2008, the Sounders announced in a press conference their second signing for the 2009 season, former United States men's national team goalkeeper Kasey Keller, a Washington native. On September 5, 2008, Seattle Sounders FC announced the third signee for the franchise to be Sanna Nyassi from Gambia. Nyassi, a 19-year-old midfielder, was a member of the Gambia U-20 national team at the 2007 FIFA Championship. Sanna's twin brother, Sainey Nyassi, was signed by the Revolution and is a regular starter in MLS this season. On October 28, 2008, it was officially announced that the Sounders had signed Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg using the Designated Player Rule. He signed a two-year contract reported to be worth $2.5 million per season.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Background, Signings and drafts
Team building continued with the 2008 MLS Expansion Draft and the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. In the expansion draft, held on November 26, 2008, Seattle Sounders FC selected the following players from other MLS teams:  Nate Jaqua (Houston), Brad Evans (Columbus), Stephen King (Chicago), Jeff Parke (RBNY), James Riley (San Jose), Khano Smith (New England), Jarrod Smith (Toronto FC), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Peter Vagenas (LA Galaxy) and Tyson Wahl (Kansas City). As the 2009 expansion team Sounders FC was given the first pick in each round of the SuperDraft.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Background, Signings and drafts
With the number one pick of the first round of the draft, Seattle Sounders FC selected University of Akron forward Steve Zakuani. As the first picks of the second round (16th overall), third round (31st overall), and fourth round (46th overall), Seattle selected Wake Forest University defender Evan Brown, Azusa Pacific University defender Jared Karkas, and Harvard University midfielder/forward Michael Fucito respectively.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Background, Signings and drafts
The team lineup was adjusted throughout. Defender Jeff Parke was selected in the expansion draft, and reported for training camp after tryouts with teams in Belgium. After training with the club for less than a week, Parke was unable to reach a contract agreement and left to train with the Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL. FC traded a conditional draft pick to Houston in order to acquire defender Patrick Ianni, who had worked with Seattle's coach Schmid on the under-20 US national team. Seattle also traded allocation money to Toronto FC in exchange for Tyrone Marshall in order to increase their depth on defense. The Sounders also traded away midfielder Khano Smith, another expansion draft selection, to Red Bull New York for allocation money.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, Preseason
Seattle's preseason was broken up into four stages. The team started in southern California, then moved back to the Northwest, then to Argentina, and then finished back in Seattle. On February 9, 2009 in their first ever exhibition game, Sounders FC beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 3–1 on a practice field beside The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Fredy Montero, Roger Levesque and Sanna Nyassi all scored goals in the win. The next day, Sounders FC had their second training match in Ventura, California against Chinese club Shandong Luneng.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, Preseason
They won 2–0 with both goals provided by midfielder Sanna Nyassi. The following day, February 11, Sounders FC defeated the Ventura County Fusion of the USL Premier Development League 6–1 in their third preseason match in three days. Steve Zakuani and Nate Jaqua both scored two goals while Fredy Montero and Roger Levesque added one each. On February 14, Sounders FC experienced their first loss of the preseason falling 3–2 to the San Jose Earthquakes while playing on the campus of California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. Fredy Montero scored both of the Sounders FC goals in the loss.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, Preseason
Following their activities in southern California, Sounders FC's returned to the Pacific Northwest to continue their training. On the evening of February 20, 2009, Sounders FC defeated the University of Portland Pilots 4–1. Nate Jaqua and Kasey Keller received a pregame ovation because they both had played collegiate soccer with the Pilots. Jaqua, along with trialist Jeff Clark, Fredy Montero, and Brad Evans scored goals for Seattle. Two days later, the club played their first preseason match at Qwest Field as they defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 4–0. Forwards Nate Jaqua and Fredy Montero scored two goals apiece.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, Preseason
Next the club traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina where they continued training and played 4 more preseason matches. Seattle played the first of these matches against Estudiantes de La Plata on February 27, who they lost to 1–3. On February 28, Sounders FC had their first tie of the preseason, 1–1 against CED, a team made up of local free agent players. The club defeated Argentine second division opponents Tristán Suárez 5–0. Michael Fucito, Fredy Montero, Brad Evans and Zach Scott and Sebastian Le Toux all scored in the victory. One day later, due to heavy rain, an exhibition match against Gimnasia La Plata was canceled. In the club's final preseason match in Argentina, they faced reserve players of River Plate on March 5. They were held scoreless by River Plate with a final score of 1–0.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, Preseason
After completing training exercises in Argentina, the club returned to Seattle for the remainder of the preseason. On March 9, Designated Player Freddie Ljungberg joined practice for the first time. Ljungberg had missed most of the preseason due to hip surgery he had undergone in December. On March 12, Sounders FC played their final preseason match against the Colorado Rapids of the MLS at Qwest Field. Seattle lost 1–0 on a penalty kick by Colorado's Conor Casey. Seattle finished preseason exhibition play with a record of 7 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, March
Prior to the first game of the season, all 22,000 season ticket packages offered by the team were sold, giving the team the most season ticket holders in Major League Soccer. On March 19, Seattle Sounders FC began their first regular season with a 3–0 win over the New York Red Bulls. Fredy Montero scored the first regular season goal in team history, finishing a movement from Sebastien Le Toux and Osvaldo Alonso in the 12th minute. Montero assisted Brad Evans' goal, and also scored the team's third goal. Kasey Keller, a veteran American goalkeeper who had played his entire career abroad, made his MLS debut at 39 years of age, and made two saves to register the team's first regular season shutout.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, March
On March 24 Seattle signed Kevin Forrest as a Senior Developmental player after he was released by Colorado. On March 28 Sounders FC continued the success of their fast start with a second consecutive home shutout, defeating Real Salt Lake 2–0. Designated player Freddie Ljungberg made his first regular season appearance as a substitute in the 61st minute of play. Nate Jaqua scored in the 17th minute, and Fredy Montero scored his league leading third goal of the season in the 77th minute.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, March
March saw Montero winning Player of the Week honors for week 1 and Keller for week 2. Montero won Goal of the Week for the first two games and was named the Player of the Month.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, April
After their first two victories at home, Sounders FC played their first away game in history against Toronto FC. The Sounders expected a challenging away environment but were victorious were able to win in another 2–0 shutout. Montero missed the match due to illness. Soon after, reports out of Seattle linked Montero to a sexual assault case with an unidentified woman. In a statement made by Sounders publicist, Montero asserted that the allegations stemmed from a disagreement in which he sought to end the relationship. and a police inquiry resulted in no charges being filed.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, April
After winning their first three games, Seattle Sounders FC suffered their first competitive loss at home against the Kansas City Wizards. Kasey Keller was sent off in the 29th minute for a handball outside the 18-yard box, as the Sounders fell 1–0 to the Wizards. The following week they lost at Chivas USA. Chris Eylander was scored on twice while covering the goal during Keller's suspension. The Sounders again failed to score.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, April
The Sounders returned to their winning ways in a 2–0 home win versus the San Jose Earthquakes.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, April
April 28 was the beginning of the team's Open Cup campaign. Schmid asserted that the competition was important and won the first of two qualifying rounds 4–1 against Real Salt Lake. The Sounders have played home games at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila. The facility is older and smaller than Qwest Field but the Sounders say the atmosphere is better for smaller cup matches.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, May
The following 5 weeks the Sounders managed to gain 5 points in the standings as they tied each game. First, a 1–1 tie at the Chicago Fire in which striker Fredy Montero was sent off in the 48th minute for an elbow to the face of Gonzalo Segares while both players went up for a ball in the air.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, May
Then another 1–1 tie the next week at home against the Los Angeles Galaxy in which yet another red card was issued, to James Riley this time, in the 57th minute for a "phantom blow" to Mike Magee as the two got into a scrum. Two more away ties followed, first against FC Dallas 1–1 and then another at Colorado, 2–2. Ljungberg missed three games during this period due to migraine headaches.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, May
May 31, 2009 Sounders FC then returned home for their 5th consecutive tie in league play, this time 1–1 against the Columbus Crew in which Tyrone Marshal was ejected in the 92nd minute when he threw what the referee believed was a punch at Steven Lenhart in retaliation for an elbow. The Sounders accumulated another three yellow cards throughout the match. Jaqua's goal received Goal of the Week honors.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, May
On May 26, the Sounders qualified for the U.S. Open Cup by defeating the Colorado Rapids 1–0 at Starfire.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, June
Seattle started June with a 1–0 loss at Chivas. Their penalty woes continued as Jhon Kennedy Hurtado accumulated his fifth yellow card and Nate Jaqua received two yellow cards resulting in them both being suspended for the next game. After the first 12 games of the season, Sounders FC were in 5th place overall and were tied for the league lead with 5 red card ejections and 6 disciplinary suspensions.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, June
On June 13, in a rematch with San Jose, Sounders FC began a stretch where 4 of their next 5 games would be played in front of their home crowd at Qwest Field. The match was the first to be counted for the supporter sponsored  Heritage Cup. Ljungberg and Montero both scored as the Sounders prevailed with a 2–1 victory.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, June
On June 10 Lamar Neagle was signed as a Senior Developmental player on the official roster.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, June
On June 17, the Sounders blew a 3–1 lead to tie against D.C. United by a score of 3–3. The match was the sixth draw in eight regular season matches. They drew again with a goal a piece at New York the following week.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, June
In week 23, the Sounders defeated the Rapids who had been undefeated in the previous eight games. Jaqua set up the first goal by Montero. Jaqua then scored twice off of assists from Montero to end the game 3–0. Jaqua's performance earned Goal of the Week and Player of the Week.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, July
On July 1, Sounders FC traveled to Portland and eliminated the Timbers of the USL in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. The game was played in front of an emotionally charged sold-out crowd. Roger Levesque — a player Portland fans have had a particular dislike for – scored Seattle's first goal within the opening minute. The following week, in a quarterfinal match, Sounders FC defeated visiting Kansas City on a penalty kick in the 89th minute by Sebastien Le Toux.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, July
It was announced in early July that the Sounders had signed left-footed Costa Rican defender Leonardo González to help at the left back position. The position had been a weak spot in Seattle's defense and filled by three separate players throughout the season.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, July
On July 11, the Sounders hosted the Houston Dynamo at Qwest Field. Brian Schmetzer filled in for Schmid who was at his son's wedding. Ianni scored his first goal of the season on bicycle kick that would earn him the MLS goal of the Week. On the following Tuesday, the Sounders defeated the Dynamo at Strfire in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals. Houston led when Jaqua scored in the 89th minute. King scored a goal five minutes into extra time, thus sending the Sounders FC to the Open Cup finals against D.C. United.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, July
On July 18, 2009 the Seattle Sounders lost 0–2 in a friendly with Chelsea. All sections of the stadium were open and sold out with a crowd of 65,289 in attendance. The game was the first with the team for Chelsea's new manager, Carlo Ancelotti, and their new forward Daniel Sturridge.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, July
Seattle finished July at home with a scoreless draw against Chicago. The Fire went a man down in the 54th minute but Ljungberg was ejected minutes later after protesting a yellow card for what the referee saw as diving in the penalty area.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, July
Keller and Ljungberg were named to the 2009 MLS All-Star Game by votes from fans. Ljungberg lead the MLS in total votes. Hurtado and Montero were later selected for the game held on July 29. Ljungberg missed the final shot in the loss which was decided by penalty kicks. He was later hospitalized due to another migraine.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, August
On August 2, the Sounders were shut out 4–0 by last-place San Jose. Riley received a red card in the 39th minute while the Earthquakes scored three times in the second half. Although Seattle had won the previous two matches, San Jose won the Heritage Cup by goal differential since the first game was not included in the supporter created competition.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, August
In the second international friendly of the season the Sounders lost against FC Barcelona 0–4 on August 5. The attendance set the state's record for a soccer match at 66,848. Thierry Henry compared the crowd to those in Europe and called the fans "amazing". Schmid expressed his hope that the fans were not disappointed by the loss and said "I hope they realize they got to watch a great team".


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, August
On August 8, Sounders FC received their third straight shutout in regular season play in a 1–0 loss at Salt Lake. Schmidt called it "a silly loss".


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, August
At Los Angeles on August 15, Seattle won for the first time on the road since April 4. Along with the Marshall, the match saw the Galaxy's Beckham and Lewis ejected in a two-goal shutout. Zakuani won Goal of the Week for his goal made after a run into the box and cross from Evans.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, August
Seattle lost at New England 1–0. Ljungberg did not travel with the team due to what would be diagnosed as  hypoglycemia.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, September
When D.C. United won the US Soccer bidding process to host the tournament's final match, Sounders FC general manager Adrian Hanauer expressed skepticism that D.C.'s bid to host the final had been better than the Seattle bid. He further noted that if Seattle had hosted the match, it likely would have sold out. This prompted a pointed reply from D.C. United president Kevin Payne in which he argued that D.C. United had won the bidding process fairly and that he was offended by Hanauer's comments.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Review, September
On the heels of this public disagreement, D.C. United launched a marketing campaign to sell more tickets to the match which included a web site heralding the club's history of titles as an original MLS franchise, WeWinTrophies.com; an open letter placed in local newspapers declaring that D.C. fans set the standard for support in the league and that Sounders FC and its fans did not think D.C. deserved to host; videos on the team's official blog from local celebrities urging fans to attend and ticket and concession specials for the game. On September 2, 2009 the U.S. Open Cup final was played in Washington D.C.'s RFK Stadium. Sounders FC prevailed 2–1 becoming the second MLS expansion team in league history (Chicago being the first) to win the Cup in their inaugural MLS season.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Competitions, Standings
(SS) = Supporters Shield winner; (E1) = Eastern Conference champion; (W1) = Western Conference champion


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Competitions, Summary
Last updated: October 24, 2009Source: Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won;  T = Matches tied;  L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Squad
Statistics are from all MLS matches. Ages are as of March 19, 2009 (the date of their season opener).


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Squad, Transfers
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2009 Seattle Sounders FC season, Recognition
Before each home game, Sounders FC honors a member of the community or special guest with a Golden Scarf.


2009 Seattle Storm season
The 2009 WNBA season is the tenth season for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association.


2009 Seattle Storm season, Offseason, Dispersal Draft
Based on the Storm's 2008 record, they would pick 12th in the Houston Comets dispersal draft. The Storm waived their pick.


2009 Seattle Storm season, Offseason, WNBA Draft
The following are the Storm's selections in the 2009 WNBA Draft.


2009 Seattle mayoral election
The 2009 Seattle mayoral election took place November 3, 2009. Incumbent Seattle mayor Greg Nickels sought reelection but finished third in the August 18, 2009 primary election. The general election was instead between Joe Mallahan and Michael McGinn. McGinn beat Mallahan in the election with 51% of the vote share, becoming Seattle's next mayor.


2009 Seattle mayoral election, Background
In a November 2008 poll of likely Seattle voters, 31% of voters approved of Nickels's performance as mayor while 57% disapproved. A January 2009 poll found a net job approval of minus 33.


2009 Seattle mayoral election, Background
Nickels' administration was faulted for not doing enough to prevent the Seattle SuperSonics NBA franchise from relocating to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Nickels was also heavily criticized for the city's policy of not using salt for snow removal due to potential environmental concerns, which contributed to the city's congested traffic in December 2008 after one of the greatest snowfalls in the city since 1996. The Proposed replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and a tax on plastic bags at grocery stores were also major issues of the campaign.


2009 Seattle mayoral election, Joe Mallahan
Joe Mallahan is a telecommunications executive, former Chicago community organizer and unsuccessful candidate in the 2009 Seattle mayoral election. In preliminary results in the August 18 primary, he and Michael McGinn received the greatest number of votes and, as a result of Washington State's nonpartisan blanket primary system, became the two candidates in the November 3, 2009 general election.


2009 Seattle mayoral election, Joe Mallahan, Biography
Joe Mallahan was born and raised in Everett and is the seventh of nine children. He completed his undergraduate studies in American politics at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he worked during college as a legislative aide to Washington State Democratic Congressman Al Swift. He also holds a master's degree in East Asian Studies from the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington and an MBA from the University of Chicago.


2009 Seattle mayoral election, Joe Mallahan, Biography
During his studies for his master's degree from the University of Washington Mallahan spent a year in a fellowship at the Japanese Ministry of Education conducting research on economic development aid. Joe is married to Carolyn Mallahan, who he has two daughters with, Irina and Masha. Both Joe and Carolyn Mallahan are volunteers and major fundraisers for the AmeriCorps organization City Year. The family lives in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood.


2009 Seattle mayoral election, Joe Mallahan, Professional career
Mallahan began his career working at an auditing firm in Chicago and then for Century Supply Company, where company executives were sufficiently impressed with his suggestions for improving efficiency  to appoint him President of the company in 1995 at age 31. He later worked for cell-phone service provider VoiceStream, which was purchased by T-Mobile and brought Mallahan and his family back to Seattle in 2000. He was Vice President of Operations Strategy at T-Mobile. Joe left T-Mobile in 2011 to pursue other opportunities.


2009 Seattle mayoral election, Joe Mallahan, Political Activism
Mallahan began his political activism in Chicago while working as the President of Century Supply Company. There Mallahan helped establish United Power for Action and Justice and received training and work as a community organizer from the Industrial Areas Foundation. After returning to Seattle in 2000 Mallahan worked on fellow Industrial Areas Foundation alumnus Barack Obama's presidential campaign but it was not until the 2009 Seattle mayoral race that he ran for political office. In addition to his work earlier work with Representative Al Swift Mallhan later worked as a legislative aide to Washington Republican Senator Slade Gorton. Since his return to Seattle and registering to vote in April 2000 elections records in King County show that Mallahan had voted in 12 of the 25 elections he was eligible to participate in.


2009 Seattle mayoral election, Joe Mallahan, 2009 Seattle Mayoral Campaign
On April 29, 2009 Mallahan declared his candidacy in an open letter to Seattle Mayor Greg Nickles declaring city government broken, no longer providing basic services and that Nickels was out of touch. In an effort to match Nickles' already existing $280,000 campaign reserves Mallahan committed $200,000 of his own money to his campaign. In between declaring his candidacy and the primary elections Mallahan raised nearly $200,000 in additional contributions from independent sources. After successfully passing the primary election Mallahan personally contributed approximately $30,000 in additional funds and raised another $130,000 from independent sources. Mallahan received substantial criticism from people such as Mike McGinn and Washington State Senator Ed Murray who accused him of "buying his way into the campaign". On November 9 Mallahan conceded the election to Mike McGinn after losing by a margin of less than one percent.


2009 Seattle mayoral election, Primaries, Early polling
A poll conducted on August 12 showed incumbent Greg Nickels in the lead with 24 percent voter backing. While Nickels had a significant lead over all other candidates, the undecided voter percentage of 26 percent indicated room for any candidate to take the lead in the primary held on August 18. In second place after Greg Nickels was Mike McGinn with 16 percent. And in third place, Joe Mallahan with 14 percent. The survey polled 500 people with a margin of error of + or - 4.3 percent.


2009 Seattle mayoral election, Primaries, Primary results
The primary election was held on August 18. The final results were posted on September 2, and showed Mike McGinn in first place with 27.7 percent of the popular vote, narrowly leading Joe Mallahan standing at 26.9 percent. Incumbent Greg Nickels showed with 25.4 percent. Due to Washington's top-two primary system, this eliminated Nickels from the running. Nickels gave his concession speech on August 21 at Seattle City Hall. Mallahan and McGinn advanced to the general election in November.


2009 Seattle mayoral election, General election
An October 20 poll commissioned by KING-TV and conducted by SurveyUSA showed Joe Mallahan ahead with 43% to Michael McGinn's 36% with a margin of error of 4.1%. Mallahan held a lead among college graduates, Democrats, Republicans, Independents and those describing themselves as moderates and conservatives. McGinn was shown to hold a lead among Asian-Americans, younger voters and those that describe themselves as liberals. McGinn changed his position on the Deep Bore Tunnel that same day, claiming "If I'm elected mayor, though I disagree with this decision, it will be my job to uphold and execute this agreement. It is not the mayor's job to withhold the cooperation of city government in executing this agreement." It was enough to push McGinn ahead of Mallahan by election day.


2009 Seattle mayoral election, General election
Mallahan conceded on November 9 after his deficit grew to nearly 5,000 votes.


2009 Segunda División B play-offs
The 2009 Segunda División B play-offs (Playoffs de Ascenso or Promoción de Ascenso) were the final playoffs for promotion from 2008–09 Segunda División B to the 2009–10 Segunda División. The four first placed teams in each of the four Segunda División B groups played the Playoffs de Ascenso and the four last placed teams in Segunda División were relegated to Segunda División B. It also decided the two teams which placed 16th to be relegated to the 2009–10 Tercera División.


2009 Segunda División B play-offs, New Format
Starting with the 2008–09 season, the four group winners had the opportunity to promote directly and become the overall Segunda División B champion. The four group winners were drawn into a two-legged series where the two winners promoted to the Liga Adelante and entered into the final for the Segunda División B champion. The two losing semifinalists entered the playoff round for the last two promotion spots.


2009 Segunda División B play-offs, New Format
The four group runners-up were drawn against one of the three fourth-placed teams outside their group while the four third-placed teams were drawn against each other in a two-legged series. The six winners advanced with the two losing semifinalists to determine the four teams that entered the last two-legged series for the last two promotion spots. In all the playoff series, the lower-ranked club played at home first. Whenever there was a tie in position (e.g. like the group winners in the Semifinal Round and Final or the third-placed teams in the first round), a draw determined the club to play at home first.


2009 Segunda División B play-offs, Group Winners Promotion Play-off, Qualified teams
The draw were held in the RFEF headquarters, in Las Rozas (Madrid), on 11 May 2009, 16:30 CEST.


2009 Segunda División B play-offs, Group Winners Promotion Play-off, Matches, Semifinals
The aggregate winners will be promoted and qualified to the 2009–10 Segunda División B Final. The aggregate losers will be relegated to the Non–champions Promotion Play–off Second Round.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Bogotá
The 2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Bogotá was a professional tennis tournament played on outdoor red clay courts. This was the fifth edition of the tournament which is part of the 2009 ATP Challenger Tour. It took place in Bogotá, Colombia between 13 and 19 July 2009.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Bogotá, Singles entrants, Other entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Bogotá, Champions, Doubles
Sebastián Prieto /  Horacio Zeballos def. Marcos Daniel /  Ricardo Mello, 6–4, 7–5


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Bogotá – Doubles
Xavier Malisse and Carlos Salamanca were the champions in 2008, but Malisse chose to not start this year. Salamanca partnered up with Santiago Giraldo - they lost to Sebastián Prieto and Horacio Zeballos in the first round. First-seeded Prieto and Zeballos won this tournament - they defeated Marcos Daniel and Ricardo Mello in the final 6–4, 7–5.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Bogotá – Singles
Mariano Puerta didn't defend his last year title. He lost to Ricardo Hocevar in the first round. Marcos Daniel won against Horacio Zeballos in the final 4–6, 7–6(5), 6–4.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Bucaramanga
The 2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Bucaramanga was a professional tennis tournament played on outdoor red clay courts. It was part of the 2009 ATP Challenger Tour. It took place in Bucaramanga, Colombia between 26 January and 1 February 2009.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Bucaramanga, Singles main draw entrants, Other entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Bucaramanga, Singles main draw entrants, Other entrants
The following players received entry into the singles main draw as special exempt:


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Bucaramanga, Champions, Men's Doubles
Diego Álvarez /  Carles Poch-Gradin def. Carlos Avellán /  Eric Gomes, 7–6(7), 6–1


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Bucaramanga – Doubles
Diego Álvarez and Carles Poch-Gradin defeated Carlos Avellán and Eric Gomes 7–6(7), 6–1 in the final. They became the first champions of this tournament.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Bucaramanga – Singles
Horacio Zeballos won in the final of the first edition of these championships. He defeated Carlos Salamanca 7–5, 6–2.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Cali
The 2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Cali was a professional tennis tournament played on outdoor red clay courts. It was the second edition of the tournament which was part of the 2009 ATP Challenger Tour. It took place in Cali, Colombia between 14 and 20 September 2009.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Cali, Singles main draw entrants, Other entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Cali, Champions, Doubles
Sebastián Prieto /  Horacio Zeballos def. Ricardo Hocevar /  João Souza, 4–6, 6–3, [10–5]


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Cali – Doubles
Juan Sebastián Cabal and Alejandro Falla chose to defend 2008 title. However, they withdrew before their first match against Eric Gomes and Carlos Salamanca. Sebastián Prieto and Horacio Zeballos won in the final 4–6, 6–3, [10–5], against Ricardo Hocevar and João Souza.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Cali – Singles
Marcos Daniel was the defending champion, but chose to not compete this year. Alejandro Falla defeated Horacio Zeballos 6–3, 6–4 in the final.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Medellín
The 2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Medellín was a professional tennis tournament played on outdoor red clay courts. It was the sixth edition of the tournament which was part of the 2009 ATP Challenger Tour. It took place in Medellín, Colombia between 2 and 8 November 2009.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Medellín, ATP entrants, Other Entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Medellín, Champions, Doubles
Sebastián Decoud /  Eduardo Schwank def. Diego Junqueira /  David Marrero, 6–0, 6–2


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Medellín – Doubles
Juan Sebastián Cabal and Alejandro Falla were the defending champions, but they chose to not participate this year. Sebastián Decoud and Eduardo Schwank defeated 2nd seed Diego Junqueira and David Marrero 6–0, 6–2 in the final.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Medellín – Singles
Leonardo Mayer chose to not defend his 2008 title. Juan Ignacio Chela became the new champion, by beating João Souza 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 in the final match.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Pereira
The 2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Pereira was a professional tennis tournament played on outdoor red clay courts. It was part of the 2009 ATP Challenger Tour. It took place in Pereira, Colombia between April 27 and March 3, 2009.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Pereira, Singles entrants, Other entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Pereira, Champions, Men's doubles
Víctor Estrella /  João Souza def. Juan Sebastián Cabal /  Alejandro Falla, 6–4, 6–4.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Pereira – Doubles
2nd-seeded Víctor Estrella and João Souza defeated 1st-seeded Juan Sebastián Cabal and Alejandro Falla in the final. They won 6–4, 6–4 and became the first champions of this tournament.


2009 Seguros Bolívar Open Pereira – Singles
Alejandro Falla won in the final 6–4, 4–6, 6–2, against Horacio Zeballos and he became the first champion of this tournament.


2009 Seiska
League tables for teams participating in Seiska, the eighth and final tier in the Finnish Soccer League system, in 2009.


2009 Selangor FA season
The 2009 Selangor FA Season is Selangor FA's 4th season playing soccer in the Malaysia Super League Since its inception in 2004.


2009 Selangor FA season
Selangor FA began the season on 10 January 2009. They will also compete in two domestic cups; The FA Cup Malaysia and Malaysia Cup.


2009 Selangor FA season, Malaysia FA Cup, Second round
The first leg match played on 21 February 2009. The second leg will be play on 24 February 2009.


2009 Selangor FA season, Malaysia FA Cup, Quarter Final
The quarter final matches are scheduled to be played on 3 March and the weekend of 7 March 2009.


2009 Selangor FA season, Malaysia FA Cup, Semi Final
The first leg matches were played on Tuesday, 7 April 2009, while the second legs were played on Tuesday, 18 April 2009.


2009 Selangor FA season, Malaysia FA Cup, Final
The final was played at National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday, 25 April 2009.


2009 Senegalese League Cup
The 2009 Senegalese League Cup (Coupe de la Ligue) was the first ever edition of the League Cup challenge. The format is like a playoff system and features clubs from the country's top two leagues (Ligue 1 and 2). AS Douanes won the first title. Five rounds were featured and 30 clubs competed. The winner competes into the Assemblée Nationale Cup or the National Assembly Cup, the super cup competition in Senegal.


2009 Senegalese League Cup, Final
No first ever final match occurred in the edition as the match was forfeited by Casa Sports as some players did not qualify. AS Douanes won their first ever title of the League Cup.


2009 Senior Bowl
The 2009 Senior Bowl was an all-star college football exhibition game featuring players from the 2008 college football season, and prospects for the 2009 Draft of the professional National Football League (NFL). It was the 60th edition of the Senior Bowl.


2009 Senior Bowl
The game was played on January 24, 2009, at 6 p.m. local time at Ladd–Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The South defeated the North, 35–18, and quarterback Pat White of the South team was named game's Most Valuable Player (MVP). Various players were seen to have either improved or harmed their NFL draft prospects through their play in the game and the week leading up to the competition, which was closely monitored by NFL scouts and the media.


2009 Senior Bowl
Coverage of the event was in high-definition on the NFL Network. Clothing company Under Armour sponsored the event for the third consecutive year and provided apparel for the game.


2009 Senior League World Series
The 2009 Senior League World Series took place from August 16–22 in Bangor, Maine, United States. Houston, Texas defeated Fremont, California in the championship game.


2009 Seniors Torneo Godó
The 2009 Seniors Torneo Godó was the fourth edition of the Seniors Torneo Godó and it took place from April 15–19, 2009.


2009 Seniors Torneo Godó
Tie-breaks were used for the first two sets of each match, which was the best of three sets. If the score was tied at one set all, a 'Champions Tie-break' (the first player to win at least 10 points or by a margin of two points) would be used.


2009 Seniors Torneo Godó
Marcelo Ríos was the defending champion, but did not compete this year to focus on an exhibition match against Andy Roddick.


2009 Seniors Torneo Godó
Félix Mantilla won the title by defeating Albert Costa 6–4, 6–1 in the final.


2009 Seniors Torneo Godó, Draw, Group stage, Group A
Cash had to withdrew before his match against Krajicek due to a foot injury.


2009 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma season
The 2009 season was Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma's twenty-first season in the K-League in South Korea. Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma competed in K-League, League Cup and Korean FA Cup.


2009 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma season, Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2009 Serbia Open
The 2009 Serbia Open (also known as Serbia Open powered by Telekom Srbija for sponsorship reasons) was a men's tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts. It was the first edition of the event known that year as the Serbia Open, and was a part of the ATP World Tour 250 series of the 2009 ATP World Tour. It took place at the Milan Gale Muškatirović complex in Belgrade, Serbia, from May 2 through May 10, 2009.


2009 Serbia Open
The singles draw was headlined by the tournament's host, Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) No. 3, 2008 Tennis Masters Cup, Dubai winner and recent Miami, Monte Carlo and Rome runner-up Novak Djokovic from Serbia. Other featured stars included reigning Nottingham champion Ivo Karlović, and Gstaad and Umag finalist Igor Andreev. Other seeds included Andreas Seppi from Italy, Belgrade Challenger winner Viktor Troicki, Ivan Ljubičić, Arnaud Clément and Christophe Rochus.


2009 Serbia Open
The doubles draw was headlined by 2008 year-end World No. 1 doubles team, 2008 Tennis Masters Cup, Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome champions Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjić, both born in Belgrade (although Nestor grew up from early childhood in Canada and represents that country). Also competing were Acapulco runners-up Łukasz Kubot and Oliver Marach, Stephen Huss and Ross Hutchins, and Simon Aspelin and Paul Hanley.


2009 Serbia Open, Champions, Doubles
Łukasz Kubot /  Oliver Marach defeated  Johan Brunström /  Jean-Julien Rojer, 6–2, 7–6(7–3)


2009 Serbia Open – Doubles
Łukasz Kubot and Oliver Marach won the final 6–2, 7–6(3) in the final against Johan Brunström and Jean-Julien Rojer.


2009 Serbia Open – Singles
The singles event at the 2009 Serbia Open men's tennis tournament was won by Novak Djokovic, who defeated Łukasz Kubot in the final.


2009 Serbia Open – Singles, Seeds
The top four seeds receive a bye into the second round.


2009 Serena Williams tennis season
Serena Williams's 2009 tennis season officially began at the 2009 Medibank International Sydney. Williams finished the year ranked world no. 1 for the second time in her career, having played in 16 tournaments, more than any other year. She also broke the record previously set by Justine Henin for the most prize money earned by a female tennis player in one year, with Williams earning $6,545,586. In doubles, she finished the year ranked world no. 3, despite playing only six tournaments as a pair. She won five Grand Slam titles, putting her total Grand Slam titles at 23.


2009 Serena Williams tennis season
Williams was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in a landslide vote (66 of 158 votes – no other candidate received more than 18 votes). She also was the International Tennis Federation World Champion in singles and doubles.


2009 Serena Williams tennis season, Year in detail, Early hard court season and Australian Open, Medibank International Sydney
Williams began her 2009 season at the Medibank International Sydney as the top seed and faced local Samantha Stosur in the first round. Williams broke Stosur in the fourth game and maintained the advantage to close out the set. The second set went to a tie-break with a couple of breaks, the breaker went to Stosur. Stosur served for the match at the 10th game and had three match points, but Williams broke back and held. Williams then broke Stosur again in the twelfth game to take the match.


2009 Serena Williams tennis season, Year in detail, Early hard court season and Australian Open, Medibank International Sydney
In the second round Williams' cruised pass Sara Errani, losing just 3 games. In the quarterfinals Williams' had another tough match this time against Caroline Wozniacki, Williams lost the first set in a tie-break. The second set went to Williams when she broke in the ninth game after failing to serve the set out in the previous game. In the final set, Wozniacki took the lead and serve for the match at the twelfth game and had three match points but Williams broke and forced a tie-break, which she won to three. In the semifinals, Williams was routined by Dementieva in straight sets.


2009 Serena Williams tennis season, Year in detail, Early hard court season and Australian Open, Australian Open
Williams came into the Australian Open having a chance to claim the world number 1 ranking. In her opening round she face Yuan Meng of China and won the first set with a single break and took the first 4 games of the second set and held the lead to win the match. In the following round she faced Gisela Dulko, where she won the first set easily.


2009 Serena Williams tennis season, Year in detail, Early hard court season and Australian Open, Australian Open
However, in the second set Dulko served for the set in the ninth game and had six set points, but Williams saved them all and broke and took the next 3 games to win in straight sets. In the third round she faced China's Peng Shuai and took the first set winning the last 6 games of the set. The second set was closer, with Williams being broke twice but still won the set in the tenth game.


2009 Serena Williams tennis season, Year in detail, Early hard court season and Australian Open, Australian Open
In the Round of 16, Williams got a lucky break, when her opponent Victoria Azarenka retires due to the heat, after Azarenka won the first set, and Williams was up by a break in the second. In the quarterfinals, Williams faced 8th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova and was in trouble when she fell by a set and Kuznetsova serving for the match at 5–4, However Williams took 9 of the last 10 games to win the match and be the only non-Russian in the semifinals.


2009 Serena Williams tennis season, Year in detail, Early hard court season and Australian Open, Australian Open
She avenged her loss to Elena Dementieva in their previous match as she defeated the Russian in straight sets with a break lead in each set. In the final, she faced world no. 3 Dinara Safina, wherein the winner will claim the world no. 1. In the first set Williams took in a bagel, hitting 12 winner and 2 unforced errors. In the second set Safina, had more resistance as she took 3 games in the set, but Williams was proven to good as she won her 10th slam title. The win also meant that Williams has now become the highest paid female athlete in history, overtaking golfer Annika Sörenstam.


2009 Serena Williams tennis season, Year in detail, Early hard court season and Australian Open, Australian Open
In doubles, she paired with sister Venus and won their first three matches in straight sets against Svetlana Kuznetsova and Nadia Petrova, Ayumi Morita and Martina Müller, and Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs. In the quarterfinals, they dropped their first set of the tournament against the team of Hsieh Su-wei and Peng Shuai, when they lost the second set, but eventually won in three. In the semifinals, they faced the team of Casey Dellacqua and Francesca Schiavone and won easily with a loss of only two games.


2009 Serena Williams tennis season, Year in detail, Early hard court season and Australian Open, Australian Open
In the final, they faced Daniela Hantuchová and Ai Sugiyama also known as "Hantuyama", the Williams sister fell by an early break but took six of the last seven games to the take the first set. They then took the second set, breaking in the ninth game of the second set to win the match.


2009 Serena Williams tennis season, Year in detail, Early hard court season and Australian Open, Open GDF Suez
Having just re-claimed the no. 1 ranking, Williams competed in the Open GDF Suez. She cruised through in her first round against Iveta Benešová, Williams took the last 6 games of the first set to win it and then went on to take the second set as well. In the following round, she cruised pass Croat Karolina Šprem without dropping a point on serve in straight sets. In the quarterfinals, it was again smooth sailing for Williams as she dispatches Frenchwoman Émilie Loit in straight sets. Williams was then forced to withdrew from her semifinal match against Elena Dementieva due to a right knee tendon injury.


2009 Serena Williams tennis season, Year in detail, Early hard court season and Australian Open, Dubai Tennis Championships
Williams next scheduled event is the Dubai Tennis Championships. Being the top seed, Williams received a bye into the second round, where she faced Italian Sara Errani, Williams dropped the first set, but came back dropping just two games in the nest two sets and winning a bagel in the third. She then faced 13th seed Zheng Jie, where she won in straight sets. In the quarterfinals, Williams faced former World no. 1 and reigning French Open champion Ana Ivanovic and won in four in straight sets, coming from a break down in the second set.