ATL Standard

Chris Henderson has been appointed as the new chief soccer officer and sporting director for Atlanta United. He brings with him 17 years of experience in Major League Soccer (MLS) front offices. Henderson's appointment aligns with club president and CEO Garth Lagerwey's vision to develop a sustainable program capable of competing for championships consistently.

Henderson joins Atlanta from Inter Miami CF, where he worked for four years. Before that, he spent 12 years with the Seattle Sounders, contributing to their consistent playoff appearances. "The infrastructure is in place -- the vision, the alignment, the values of this club," Henderson said about his decision to join Atlanta United.

Henderson shared personal insights during an interview, discussing his family and passion for soccer. He mentioned moving to Atlanta with his wife and three of their five children. "It's a new city -- new restaurants, new schools, new parks, new soccer clubs," he stated.

Henderson also discussed his fondness for inspirational quotes and how they have influenced him throughout his career. He recalled advice from his father: "Good athletes finish strong and if you work hard, good things will happen."

Reflecting on his early soccer memories, Henderson recounted being late to a game at age five but scoring a penalty after arriving. His interests outside soccer include reading and running. When asked about travel preferences, he named Argentina and France as favorite destinations.

Henderson expressed excitement about exploring Atlanta's culture, particularly its music scene and local sports teams like the Hawks, Falcons, and Braves. On analytics in soccer, he emphasized its importance across various processes: "It goes hand-in-hand with the tactical, technical, physical and recruitment process."

Discussing influential players from his youth in Seattle, Henderson mentioned Thomas Häßler and Pierre Littbarski from Germany's national team in the 1980s. As for cuisine preferences, he enjoys Thai dishes due to his wife's heritage.

In terms of cinema favorites, Henderson cited "The Shawshank Redemption." Among Atlanta United players past or present that he admired are Josef Martínez and Miguel Almirón.

Finally, Henderson conveyed gratitude towards Atlanta United supporters: "I want them to know that I appreciate every single game...that they're with us." He aims to build a team that makes both the city and state proud while striving for championships.