Atlanta United has hired Chris Henderson as head of soccer and sporting director, the club announced Monday.

The long-time MLS front office executive comes after serving as chief football officer and sporting director of Inter Miami CF from 2021 to 2024. Henderson also spent 2008-20 with Seattle Sounders FC, where he worked closely with Atlanta CEO/President Garth Lagerwey.

Henderson’s role helps replace Carlos Bocanegra, who was fired in September. In exchange for Henderson, the Five Stripes sent Inter Miami a second-round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft.

“Chris has experience in building consistent, winning teams in this league and we are pleased to welcome him to the club as our new sporting director,” said Lagerwey.

“His illustrious career and vast experience were something we valued in this hiring process and he was someone who immediately rose to the top of our search. He understands all the nuances that come with roster building in MLS and I look forward to watching him play in a critical role. “You helped us bring this consistent winner to Atlanta.”

During his time in Miami, Henderson helped build the squad that won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, and set the MLS single-season points record (74). He is credited with coming to terms with the league’s rules and intricacies, setting the stage for Lionel Messi’s transformative arrival in July 2023.

Henderson worked with Seattle from the days of MLS expansion through the victorious 2020 Concacaf Champions Cup season and formed a fruitful partnership with Lagerwey. He also shaped Sounders teams that won two MLS Cups, a Supporters’ Shield and four US Open Cup titles.

The former USMNT and MLS midfielder brings more than 17 years of front office experience, winning nine trophies in Seattle and Miami.

“I would like to thank Arthur M. Blank and Garth Lagerwey for giving me the opportunity to come to Atlanta and I look forward to beginning this new journey in my career,” said Henderson.

“I have been following this club for some time now and the club’s ambitions, both on and off the pitch, are clear: to fight for trophies every single season. I look forward to working with Garth and playing a role in helping Atlanta United build on its success story.”

In Atlanta, Henderson enters a position with great opportunities. The club has two open designated player spots, flexibility in the U22 initiative and a head coach spot – all after reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

The Five Stripes are traditionally one of the league’s biggest spenders and draw some of the league’s biggest crowds to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta won the MLS Cup in 2018.