Sounders FC's Chris Henderson can call Seattle, Colorado home

One reason Chris Henderson's number 19 is on a wall in the Colorado Rapids' Gallery of Honor at Dick's Sporting Goods Park can be found in a story told by Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid.

"He's the only player I recruited in college who worked out on his visit," Schmid said.

That was some 20 years ago, when Henderson, a soccer star at Cascade High School in his hometown of Everett, visited the UCLA campus, where Schmid was the Bruins' coach. Most recruits take in the scene and revel in the Southern California sunshine for a weekend before going home. Henderson wasn't most recruits.

"Chris actually got up in the morning early and went for a run and worked out," Schmid said.

Henderson went on to win a national title and become an All-American for the Bruins.

Small wonder, then, that Henderson, now 38 and Sounders FC's technical director, had such a long and distinguished amateur and pro soccer career. One that took him to Europe, the U.S. national team, the U.S. Olympic team and Major League Soccer and lasted until the end of the 2006 season, when he retired. Seven seasons were spent in greater Denver with the Rapids, where Henderson holds the club records for games played (178), games started (170), minutes (14,784), assists (53), shots (342) and shots on goal (151).

Colorado is a special place for Henderson, a former midfielder. He got married there, became a fan favorite in part because of his signature stepover move with the ball and work rate, was an original member of the Rapids when MLS play began in 1996 and still owns a home in the area. Seattle defender James Riley, a Colorado native, remembers his days as a teenager watching Henderson play.

"So many great years and great memories," Henderson said. "Now I'm a Seattle Sounder and I put everything into this, but it's nice to go back and see some old friends.

"Some of my best playing years were playing for them."

But there has been a lot of life after Colorado. Henderson spent the 2007 season as an assistant coach with the Kansas City Wizards, and in January 2008 was named the first technical director of brand-new Sounders FC. His experience as a player and coach, familiarity with so many MLS players and local ties made him the perfect choice to be general manager Adrian Hanauer's right-hand man in personnel decisions and the top liaison between Schmid and the players and the Seattle front office.

Henderson originally turned down an offer to become the Rapids' technical director, and that's when Hanauer came calling. Henderson was impressed with the ownership group, the prospect of a new MLS team in Seattle and the chance to come home with his wife, Dee, and their two children. He took the job and set about going over film and traveling the world with Hanauer in search of players.

Since returning to the Puget Sound area, Henderson has been inducted into the state high-school hall of fame.

"It was easy to be able to come home and live where I want to live and be where family is and be with this amazing organization," Henderson said.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com