Chicago Fire FC hires as new head coach
Caribbean Life, DECEMBER 3-9, 2021 31
By Nelson A. King
Vincentian Ezra Hendrickson
has been hired as
Chicago Fire FC’s new head
coach, the club announced
last Wednesday.
The Athletic reported last
week that Chicago and Hendrickson
were working out
a deal.
Prior to Chicago, Hendrickson
was an assistant
coach for the Columbus Crew
and a longtime Major League
Soccer (MLS) assistant, the
Athletic said.
He also had a 15-year playing
career, it said.
“I am immensely proud
and humbled to be named
the head coach of Chicago
Fire FC,” said Hendrickson
in a statement. “There are
many people to thank.
“Firstly, I am grateful to
our owner Joe Mansueto for
this incredible opportunity,”
he added. “It’s a responsibility
that I do not take lightly.
“Georg Heitz, Sebastian
Pelzer and Eddie Rock
have also been supportive
throughout this process, and
I am excited to work alongside
them as colleagues,”
Hendrickson continued. “We
must be a team in order to
achieve our goals.”
Career
In his 15-year playing
career, Henderson spent
the most time with the Los
Angeles Galaxy — from 1997-
2003, the Athletic said.
It said Hendrickson’s
coaching career began in
2009 with Seattle Sounders
FC before eventually joining
Columbus as an assistant in
2019.
The Fire dismissed former
head coach Raphael Wicky in
September, naming assistant
coach Frank Klopas as the
interim head coach, “as they
searched for Wicky’s replacement,”
the Athletics said.
It said Wicky was in his
second season at the helm.
The Athletics said Chicago
finished the season 12th in
the 14-team Eastern Conference,
14 points outside
the seventh and final playoff
place.
“It hasn’t reached the
postseason in eight of the
last nine seasons,” the Athletic
said.
Columbus Crew temporary head coach Ezra Hendrickson talks to midfi elder Darlington
Nagbe (6) after a loss against the New York Red Bulls at MAPFRE Stadium. Alexandria
Skowronski-USA TODAY Sports/File
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