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Ezra Hendrickson Now Sounders Assistant
Giant defender Ezra Hendrickson has joined Seattle Sounders FC as the second assistant coach.
Jan 20, 2009 4:41:16 PM
Seattle Sounders FC have announced that former Columbus Crew defender Ezra Hendrickson as their second assistant coach.
The towering defender retired from the game in the offseason after winning his third Major League Soccer Cup with the Crew in 2008. He won that trophy under the guiding eye of coach Sigi Schmid, who is now in charge of the Sounders. Previously, Hendrickson and Schmid combined in Los Angeles to take the Galaxy to their 2002 MLS Cup trophy.
"I'm very excited. Seattle is very good organization, and I am joining the staff of arguably the best coach in the league," said Hendrickson, who earned his U.S. Soccer 'B' Coaching License in December. "After taking the coaching course, I realized coaching was something I would like to do and I feel privileged to have this opportunity immediately after my playing career."
A veteran of 12 MLS campaigns, Hendrickson retired at the age of 36. He played in a total of 266 regular season matches, scored 23 goals, and notched 30 assists. It was that experience that led Schmid to bring his former player aboard his coaching staff.
"In the latter years of his career, Ezra was like a coach on the field for me," said Schmid. "It’s that ability and his wealth of recent playing experience which he brings to our staff."
Rumors of Hendrickson joining the Sounders organization began when Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy spotted him donning a Seattle hat at the MLS Combine last month, but had not been officially confirmed until now.
--Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
The towering defender retired from the game in the offseason after winning his third Major League Soccer Cup with the Crew in 2008. He won that trophy under the guiding eye of coach Sigi Schmid, who is now in charge of the Sounders. Previously, Hendrickson and Schmid combined in Los Angeles to take the Galaxy to their 2002 MLS Cup trophy.
"I'm very excited. Seattle is very good organization, and I am joining the staff of arguably the best coach in the league," said Hendrickson, who earned his U.S. Soccer 'B' Coaching License in December. "After taking the coaching course, I realized coaching was something I would like to do and I feel privileged to have this opportunity immediately after my playing career."
A veteran of 12 MLS campaigns, Hendrickson retired at the age of 36. He played in a total of 266 regular season matches, scored 23 goals, and notched 30 assists. It was that experience that led Schmid to bring his former player aboard his coaching staff.
"In the latter years of his career, Ezra was like a coach on the field for me," said Schmid. "It’s that ability and his wealth of recent playing experience which he brings to our staff."
Rumors of Hendrickson joining the Sounders organization began when Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy spotted him donning a Seattle hat at the MLS Combine last month, but had not been officially confirmed until now.
--Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
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