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Inter Miami sporting director Chris Henderson leaving for Atlanta United.
Inter Miami will have another big change in leadership heading into the 2025 season. Sporting Director Chris Henderson is leaving to join Atlanta United, a club source confirmed.
Henderson, one of the most respected MLS executives, heads to the team that knocked Miami out of the 2024 playoffs in the first round. He will be reunited with Atlanta United president Garth Lagerwey, with whom he enjoyed great success when they worked together at the Seattle Sounders front office from 2015-21. During that stretch Seattle won two MLS Cups, a Supporters’ Shield and four U.S. Open Cups.
Henderson and Lagerwey both played for the Miami Fusion, the first South Florida MLS team, which folded after the 2001 season. Lagerwey played goalkeeper for Miami in 1999-2000 and Henderson played forward in 2001.
The move, first reported by Give Me Sport, had been rumored since June, when Inter Miami hired former FC Barcelona executive Raul Sanllehi to be President of Soccer Operations. Henderson’s title was Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director, and it was a bit unclear how their roles would mesh.
At the time, Sanllehi said he had a good relationship with Henderson and great respect for the work he does and was looking forward to working alongside him. He added that Henderson would remain entrenched in the sports side of the club while Sanllehi focused on the overall management of the club.
But in recent months, it was Sanllehi who sat alongside Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas at the farewell press conference of coach Tata Martino, who stepped down unexpectedly after the team’s first-round playoff exit at the hands of Atlanta United.
And it was Sanllehi who was quoted in the most recent press releases about roster moves, which is the area Henderson previously handled.
Asked in late-November by a Herald reporter about rumors Henderson was leaving, Mas replied: “On Chris Henderson, he’s here.”
Henderson is best known for his understanding and navigation of the complex MLS roster rules and for discovering young talents, such as defensive midfielder Yannick Bright, a rookie from University of New Hampshire who became an Inter Miami starter by mid-season.
He also was instrumental in Inter Miami recovering from severe MLS sanctions for roster rules violated prior to his arrival. And he managed to keep the club payroll roster compliant despite the additions of superstars Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.
Before becoming an MLS executive, Henderson, 54, spent 12 years playing in Europe and the United States. He played in Germany and Norway before joining MLS. In addition to playing for the Fusion, he played for the Colorado Rapids, Kansas City Wizards, Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls. He retired in 2006.
He also made 79 appearances for the U.S. national team and scored three goals.
Inter Miami to play Club America in Las Vegas
Javier Mascherano’s Inter Miami coaching debut will be a high profile friendly against Mexican power Club America in Las Vegas on Jan. 18.
Miami, coming off its first Supporter’s Shield, will play the two-time Liga MX champion at Allegiant Stadium at 10 p.m. ET.
“We look forward to a competitive and exciting match, one that will benefit both clubs as we continue to grow and inspire our fans around the world,” said America president Santiago Banos.
Season ticket members will be able to purchase tickets through a pre-sale. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
