Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Reports: Club pursuing Henderson
Inter Miami CF are reportedly closing in on the Seattle Sounders’ Chris Henderson for a role in their revamped front office.
The Washington Post first reported that Inter Miami were interested in hiring Henderson, Seattle’s sporting director and vice president of soccer, with SBI Soccer later reporting that Henderson was set to leave his position with the Sounders for a similar one with Miami.
Seattle-based journalist Niko Moreno reported Thursday afternoon that Henderson’s departure from Seattle is “imminent” and him joining Inter Miami’s front office is “almost a done deal.”
Henderson was previously a finalist for Inter Miami’s sporting director job in 2018 before Paul McDonough filled the role.
McDonough stepped down as the club’s sporting director and COO last month after Inter Miami’s disappointing inaugural Major League Soccer season.
Henderson has extensive experience in MLS. He played in the league from 1996-2006 — including for the Miami Fusion in 2001. He joined the Sounders as their technical director in 2008 ahead of their inaugural season in 2009 before being named to his current role after the 2014 season.
Seattle’s won four U.S. Open Cups, two MLS Cups and a Supporters’ Shield since entering into the league, with Henderson being considered the Sounders lead talent-evaluator during his time with the club.
Henderson works closely with Sounders general manager and president of soccer, Garth Lagerwey, and assists in all areas of soccer operations, including “scouting, player management, coaching decisions and the club’s youth system,” according to Seattle’s website.
In addition to their front office and roster makeovers after a disappointing 2020, Inter Miami’s also looking to fill their head coaching vacancy.
England’s women’s national soccer team coach Phil Neville is reportedly expected to be named Inter Miami’s new coach soon.
Team bends it with Beckham
Who better for Inter Miami CF Academy players to practice with than a global soccer icon who also happens to own the club?
David Beckham, an Inter Miami co-owner, laced up his cleats once again while wearing the team’s official training gear and surprised a group of the club’s Academy players with a training session Thursday afternoon.
While Beckham, 45, retired as a professional soccer player in 2013, he looked just as sharp practicing with the Inter Miami Academy products as he did during a playing career that witnessed him suit up for Manchester United, Real Madrid and the LA Galaxy.
He even knocked in a goal during one of the training session’s competitions.
The training session marked the first time Beckham’s been at Inter Miami’s facilities in Fort Lauderdale since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He returned to South Florida last week ahead of Inter Miami’s expected coaching and front office moves.