January 19, 2009 8:08 PM

Confirmed: Ezra Hendrickson as assistant coach

The former MLS player, who was on Sigi Schmid's Columbus Crew title team last season before recently announcing his retirement from playing, will be announced tomorrow as Sounders FC's newest assistant coach, according to sources. Hendrickson figures to round out Schmid's Seattle staff, joining GK coach Tom Dutra, top assistant Brian Schmetzer and fitness coach David Tenney.

Hendrickson is 37. He was with Seattle coaches and staff at the combine and is expected to be with the team at training camp when it opens Wednesday.

Speaking of camp...it could open with around 30 players. A good chunk of those will be former USL Sounders who have been invited to try and win a roster spot. As of now, D Jeff Parke (unsigned) and D Peter Vagenas, a pair of expansion draftees, aren't likely to be at Seahawks HQ when camp starts. It's unclear why Vagenas won't arrive for Day One. First round SuperDraft pick Steve Zakuani and D Evan Brown, the second-round pick, should be there. The other two rookies, Jared Karkas and Michael Fucito, apparently have academic commitments and will join the team later.

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