ATL Standard

The first significant move of Atlanta United's offseason was announced with the hiring of Chris Henderson as the club's new Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director. At a press conference held at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, Henderson addressed local media for the first time alongside club president and CEO Garth Lagerwey.

“Chris is a proven winner,” Lagerwey stated. “He’s one of the most decorated executives in MLS history with nine titles to his credit. He’s one of the best talent evaluators in our league.” Lagerwey emphasized that this hire marks an important step in reshaping the club, which currently has a head coaching vacancy and two designated player spots open.

Henderson discussed his approach to building a team, highlighting the need for depth: “What happens when you have injuries? What happens when players get called up to international duty? You need to have those answers ready and give your coach and your coaching staff all the weapons they need to have success because there’s going to be ups and downs in a season.”

He also stressed adding key players: “We want to add some top-end, really high talent, and then fill in those pieces to complement those players. It’s about building off of those, then doing it over two or three transfer windows.”

During their discussion, both Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami CF were mentioned as part of Henderson's journey. Henderson has worked with Lagerwey at Seattle Sounders, where he was part of the technical staff since its inception into MLS. Both clubs share similarities such as strong connections with supporters and ambitious goals.

Henderson previously worked at Inter Miami CF, whose roster achieved significant success last season. Despite potential reasons to stay in Miami, including working with Lionel Messi and hosting upcoming events like FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Henderson chose Atlanta due to its opportunities.

“It was about this opportunity, it was about the potential and ambition of Atlanta United,” he said. “I feel like it’s a great working environment here... The opportunity, support from Arthur Blank and resources this club has is something that’s not common in MLS.”

Lagerwey praised Henderson's experience on Tuesday: "Garth’s a winner as well," said Henderson. "He’s done it at a smaller club in Salt Lake. He’s done it in Seattle."

Atlanta United's leadership team now includes Senior Vice President Dimitrios Efstathiou and Sarah Kate Noftsinger among others noted by Lagerwey for their vast experience despite being relatively new additions.

“We believe by making these investments this is where we can gain competitive advantage because there is no salary cap when it comes to executive talent,” said Lagerwey regarding strategic hires like Henderson aimed towards creating sustainability within organizational structure long-term.

When asked about areas beyond roster growth within youth system/Academy pathways specifically expanded facilities benefitting second teams & young talents overall strategy echoed consistent sustainable development principles across board levels shared earlier during press briefing session together emphasizing infrastructure planning efforts aligned behind scenes accordingly further elaborated upon extensively too reiterating commitment towards achieving desired outcomes eventually hopefully sooner rather than later ideally speaking ultimately concluding proceedings finally thereby effectively wrapping up entire event altogether neatly succinctly efficiently indeed!