Sounders FC technical director Chris Henderson has fond memories as a member of 1990 U.S. World Cup squad

Published 11:30 pm Thursday, June 10, 2010

SEATTLE — Chris Henderson has World Cup memories unique to only the top soccer players in the world having been a member of the 1990 U.S. squad.

When the tournament begins today, however, the Cascade High School graduate is more excited about reliving his memories from the 1982 Cup.

As an 11-year-old growing up in Everett, Henderson experienced the World Cup like the vast majority of us do. He watched on T.V. as Italy won the tournament held in Spain, and the youngster was captivated by the game.

Twenty-eight years later, Henderson, who is currently the Sounders FC technical director, hopes to share that same excitement with his two children, Aidan and Annelise.

“To have kids now who both play soccer, this will be special to enjoy with them,” said Henderson. “My son’s 12. I remember watching the ‘82 World Cup in Spain, it had such an impact on my life, and I think he’s at that point where we can watch the games together and he’ll get excited for it.”

Henderson, who at 19 was the youngest member of the 1990 U.S. squad, plans to spend this World Cup like a typical fan.

“I’m preparing everything,” he said. “The TVs, the Tivo. I don’t want to miss a game. I told my girlfriend, ‘For a month you’re not going to see me. I’ll be in front of the TV.’”

Back in 1990, he was anything but an average fan, however, traveling to Italy with the U.S. team still six months shy of his 20th birthday.

“Just that feeling of being the elite of the elite, and the whole world is watching,” he said after a recent Sounders FC practice. “That feeling that you’re representing your country and the pride, and to have a chance to play against the best players in the world. I got that once in my life. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Most of these guys, you have posters of on your wall, and you get a chance to see how you stack up.”

At the time, Henderson figured it wouldn’t be a once-in-a-lifetime thing. After all, he was a teenager just establishing himself on the national team. Surely if he made the team at 19, he would do so again for later World Cups. But despite being a mainstay on the national team throughout the 1990s, he never played in another World Cup. Henderson was an alternate on the 1994 and 1998 teams, but didn’t make the final roster.

“As I got older and I played the game, I realized that it’s only about how you’re playing at that moment as they pick the team,” said Henderson, a 1992 Olympian. “In ’93 I led the team in minutes, I led the team in assists, and within four months I just missed making the team.”

Just as national team mainstays like former Sounder Brian Ching lost spots to hot players like Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez this year, Henderson just missed out on return trips to the World Cup. He has no regrets, however, about a long and successful soccer career.

“You saw it with this year’s team, you get hot,” he said, snapping his fingers for emphasis, “and you’re on the team. Who would have thought Herculez Gomez, when he was sitting on the bench in KC, that he’d be in the World Cup a year later? With that part, I learned that there is a piece in every four years that the 23 players get picked — at that time it was 22 — so is it disappointing? Yes. But at the same time, I have nothing but great pride in my national team career.”

Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com.