Sounders FC's Henderson, Razov named nominees for Hall of Fame

Seattle Sounders FC Sporting Director Chris Henderson and Assistant Coach Ante Razov have been named nominees for the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2016 elections, both included on the ballot in the Player category. Voting is taking place over the next three weeks for the Player, Veteran Player and Builder categories, with the results being announced shortly thereafter. Induction ceremony details for the Class of 2016 are being announced at a later date.

Both Henderson and Razov played for Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid at UCLA and joined MLS in its inaugural season in 1996. Voting began on Tuesday for the Player, Veteran Player and Builder categories. Of the 28-player ballot, Henderson is one of three that are in their final year of eligibility. If not elected this season, he becomes eligible next season on the Veteran Player ballot. Schmid and former Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller were elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame last year.

Henderson joined the Sounders FC Front Office in 2008, serving as Sporting Director since the club's MLS inception. As a player, Henderson represented the U.S. at the international level 79 times, winning championships in both MLS and the NCAA. Henderson played 11 seasons for five teams, and upon his retirement following the 2006 season he was the league record-holder in four categories, including career games played and started. At 19 years of age, he was the youngest player at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, in addition to representing the U.S. at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

An Everett native, Henderson was named the 1989 Gatorade National Player of the Year in soccer after his senior season at Cascade High School. He went on to play two seasons for Sigi Schmid at UCLA, where he led the Bruins to the 1990 National Championship.

Razov spent 14 years in MLS from 1996-2009, including seven with the Chicago Fire and four with Chivas USA, and he ranks fourth all-time in MLS scoring with 114 goals. The Southern California-native also ranks 18th in league history with 66 assists across 262 appearances, as well as fifth all-time with 11 goals and 10 assists in the postseason, where his 35 appearances are ninth in MLS Cup Playoffs action. Razov was capped 25 times by the U.S. Men's National Team, scoring six goals and helping the Stars and Stripes to the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup title. His first USMNT cap came in 1995 against Uruguay while still in college.