Longtime Seattle Sounders assistant coach Ezra Hendrickson has been named the first head coach of the newly formed Seattle Sounders FC 2, it was announced Thursday.
Hendrickson has spent the past six seasons as an assistant coach with the Sounders, the USL PRO side’s parent club, and reserve team head coach, following a 14-year playing career in which he played on three MLS Cup championship teams.
"After six years of experience with the organization, Ezra has earned the respect of the players and has gotten to know our Academy very well," S2 general manager Andrew Opatkiewicz said in a statement. "His years with the first team will prove to be a huge asset as we look to develop a team that gives players valuable minutes in a professional environment."
Hendrickson joined the Sounders as an assistant coach in 2009 following his playing career. As a player, he spent parts of eight seasons alongside Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid, including three campaigns with the Columbus Crew prior to his retirement.
"I feel very honored to be appointed head coach of S2. Player development is a very important and integral part of any club," said Hendrickson. "I'm looking forward to developing our younger players as they come through the program, so that we as an organization can have that sustained growth and success."
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In four seasons as Sounders FC Reserve League Head Coach, Hendrickson led the Rave Green to a 19-13-7 record from 2011-14, including an 8-1-1 record and West Division championship in 2011. This season, the Seattle Reserves finished 3-1-3 and went unbeaten (1-0-3) against MLS Reserve opponents.
"This a great opportunity for Ezra and allows for good continuity in preparation for the S2 players, the first team and Seattle Sounders FC overall," Schmid said. "Ezra knows what we're looking for, knows what it takes to play at this level, and he provides a great bridge from S2 to the Sounders FC first team."
