MLS Seattle Hires Henderson as Technical Director

MLS Seattle hired Chris Henderson to serve as Technical Director, the club announced today.

KIRKLAND, WASH. – MLS Seattle hired Chris Henderson to serve as Technical Director, the club announced today.

As the club’s technical director, Henderson will assist the team’s general manager, Adrian Hanauer, in all areas of soccer operations, including scouting, player management, coaching decisions, and the youth system.

“We are very excited to add Chris to our MLS Seattle operation,” said Hanauer. “Chris brings tremendous knowledge of the MLS system and players to our organization.”

An MLS original, Henderson played in 317 career games for five teams. He currently ranks second all-time in games (317) and minutes played (26,242). Henderson scored 51 goals and added 80 assists over 11 MLS seasons.

Henderson, 37, joins the club after spending the 2007 season as an assistant coach on the Kansas City Wizards staff. He retired from playing professional soccer in 2006 after a 15-year career, including the last 11 in the MLS.

His MLS career began with the Colorado Rapids where he played three seasons before signing with Kansas City. He spent one season with the Miami Fusion in 2001 before returning to Colorado. He was traded during the 2005 season to the Columbus Crew and he finished his career with Red Bull New York in 2006.

A national champion at UCLA, Henderson began international play at the 1990 World Cup. At age 19, he was the youngest member on the United States roster. Henderson earned 80 caps and scored three international goals. He was also a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team and an alternate on the 1994 and 1998 World Cup squads.

In 2004, he launched the Chris Henderson Foundation, which gives cash grants to fight Leukemia and to underprivileged children. A native of Everett, Wash., Henderson attended Cascade High School where he earned the 1989 Gatorade Player of the Year award. He is married and has two children.