Hendrickson Welcomed Home With New Team
Ezra Hendrickson was furiously scribbling out his autograph when an older gentleman, decked out in a cowboy hat and Chivas jersey, patted Hendrickson on the back and offered him a hearty “good luck” in broken English.
“You honorary Mexican now,” the man said.
Hendrickson smiled. Surrounded by hundreds of Club Deportivo Chivas USA fans at the Home Depot Center on Saturday as part of the club’s official presentation to its fans, a grin was all Hendrickson could muster.
Once one of the most popular players with the Galaxy, the defender is making a homecoming of sorts with Chivas USA, an expansion team that will make its Major League Soccer debut on April 2.
That he is the only black player on Mexican-heavy Chivas USA is not an added burden, he said.
“I’ve never really thought about it,” said Hendrickson, who is from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“I play football. Whether I’m Mexican or American or whatever, if I know how to play the game, and if the coaches decide I fit their style, I’ll be fine.”
So there’s no chance of the fans misplacing any potential frustrations on him?
“We’re from different cultures definitely, but ... when I was with the Galaxy I got along great with the fans and a lot of them were Latin fans.
“As long as I know how to play, and the fans appreciate the game, I’ll be fine.”
Hendrickson, 33, thought he was fine with the Galaxy. Until he was traded to the then-Dallas Burn five days after he was married in a summer 2003 deal. He had also just bought a house in Chino a few months earlier.
He played with D.C. United last season, winning an MLS Cup title, and was selected by Chivas USA in the expansion draft.
After the trade to Dallas, he leased his home and is looking for another place to live.
But based on the Chivas USA fans’ reception of him during introductions, Hendrickson has found a new home, in the same stadium he helped open.
And he’s thinking of bringing back his Galaxy-days tradition of removing his jersey after he scores a goal to reveal a Bob Marley T-Shirt. Apparently, Marley translates well in Spanish.
“I brought four Marley CDs with me and we listen to them all in the locker room,” Hendrickson said.
Although Hendrickson was a fan favorite playing for the Galaxy from 1997 to 2003, the Chivas USA idol is midfielder Ramon Ramirez.
The two-time World Cup veteran and Chivas de Guadalajara hero was worshiped with aplomb by fans seeking his signature.
Even actor Edward James Olmos, who was wearing a Chivas scarf around his neck as he took in the light workout, was impressed with the presence of Ramirez.
“Chivas has the most clout, the biggest brand in Mexico and they’ve brought their brand here with them,” Olmos said.
“The influx of another level of understanding of the game of football is a good thing. Now, other nations might want to come to this country and elevate the business of the sport. That’s great for both the game and the fans.”
