COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has named Ezra Hendrickson as Assistant Coach on Head Coach Caleb Porter’s First Team Technical Staff. Hendrickson, who holds a U.S. Soccer Federation “Pro" License, previously played for Crew SC from 2006-2008, helping the Club win its first MLS Cup. Hendrickson is with the Club for tonight’s regular-season match at Real Salt Lake [10:00 p.m. ET / Fox Sports Ohio, FOX Sports GO (Stream) / 97.1 The Fan & 971TheFan.com (English); ColumbusCrewSC.com (Spanish)].
“We are pleased to have Ezra Hendrickson join Crew SC’s First Team technical staff,” said Crew SC President Tim Bezbatchenko. “Ezra is an individual who has been a member of MLS championship teams – including with Crew SC – as both a player and as an assistant coach, and he knows what it takes to win titles at this level. His ties and understanding of our organization make him a great asset for our Club.”
Hendrickson began his coaching career with Seattle Sounders FC, where he served as Head Coach Sigi Schmid’s assistant coach from 2009-2014, before becoming the Head Coach of Seattle Sounders FC 2 from 2015-2017. During his time with the Sounders, Hendrickson helped the club win a Supporters’ Shield (2014) and four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014). Following his time in Seattle, Hendrickson joined Schmid at the LA Galaxy, where he worked as an assistant coach during the 2018 season. In addition to his coaching experience in MLS, Hendrickson also served as an assistant coach for the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National Team from 2015-2018.
“Ezra brings over a decade of coaching experience at both the MLS and the international level, making him a great addition to our staff,” said Crew SC Head Coach Caleb Porter. “We also believe Ezra’s experience as a top level MLS player will allow him to greatly contribute to the development of our players.”
A former player, Hendrickson played professionally for 14 years in a career that included stints with Crew SC (2006-2008), Chivas USA (2005-2006), D.C. United (2004), the Charleston Battery (2003-2004), Dallas Burn (2003), the LA Galaxy (1997-2003), the New York MetroStars (1997), the New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers (1995-1996) and the Des Moines Menace (1994).
In all, Hendrickson made 266 regular-season appearances (225 starts) in MLS regular-season action, while scoring 23 goals and providing 30 assists. The Vincentian won MLS Cup three times (2002, 2004, 2008), the Supporters’ Shield three times (1998, 2002, 2008), the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup once (2001) and the Concacaf Champions’ Cup once (2000). Notably, Hendrickson was a member of the 2008 Crew SC squad that achieved a domestic double by winning MLS Cup and the Supporters’ Shield.
At the international level, Hendrickson earned 123 caps for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from 1995-2008, serving as a captain on several occasions.
