Position Description
The Senior Performance Therapist is a leader within U.S. Soccer’s Integrated Performance Support (IPS) department, supporting Youth and Extended National Teams and advancing an integrated model of development, health & wellbeing, and performance.
This role is responsible for delivering world-class performance physical therapy services while leading the design and implementation of criteria-based return-to-performance (RTP) systems, supporting longitudinal athlete health strategies, and integrating performance medicine with performance science, strength & conditioning, performance nutrition, analytics, and innovation.
The Senior Performance Therapist will play a critical role in developing scalable systems and best practices for the National Training Center, ensuring that athlete care is collaborative, data-informed, and aligned with U.S. Soccer’s long-term player development philosophy.
In addition to direct athlete care, this position will mentor staff, contribute to interdisciplinary decision-making, and help establish Integrated Performance Support as a world-class model for performance preservation, and continuous innovation.
Primary Responsibilities
Performance Therapy & Athlete Care
- Deliver comprehensive performance therapy services across Youth National Team and Extended National Team camps, training environments, and competitions.
- Lead injury assessment, manual therapy interventions, rehabilitation/reconditioning planning, and progressive return-to-performance programming.
- Develop and implement individualized injury prevention and movement optimization strategies.
- Collaborate with Integrated Performance Support staff to optimize athlete readiness, availability, and long-term development.
- Support continuity of care across club and national team environments.
Return-to-Performance Leadership
- Lead the design, implementation, and continuous refinement of criteria-based return-to-performance (RTP) frameworks.
- Establish standardized rehabilitation and RTP processes across Youth National Team environments.
- Integrate objective testing, movement quality, strength diagnostics, load tolerance, and athlete readiness into RTP decision-making.
- Develop decision-making frameworks that promote consistency, transparency, and athlete-centered progression.
- Continuously evaluate and improve RTP systems using current evidence and organizational data.
Integrated Performance Support Leadership
- Serve as a collaborative leader within the Integrated Performance Support (IPS) department.
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration across performance medicine, performance science, strength & conditioning, performance nutrition, analytics, coaching, and innovation.
- Develop shared mental models, communication standards, and integrated decision-making processes that improve athlete care.
- Contribute to the development of scalable systems and best practices that support all National Team environments.
- Champion a culture of collaboration, curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Performance Science Integration & Innovation
- Integrate performance science into daily clinical practice and reconditioning planning.
- Utilize the VALD performance technology suite and other athlete monitoring systems to inform reconditioning progressions and return-to-performance decisions.
- Translate force, movement, neuromuscular, and load data into actionable clinical interventions.
- Partner with Performance Science staff to develop testing protocols, athlete profiling strategies, and evidence-informed practices.
- Support innovation initiatives that improve athlete care, decision-making, and organizational capability.
Longitudinal Athlete Health & Analytics
- Support longitudinal injury surveillance and availability tracking.
- Analyze injury trends, recurrence rates, workload patterns, and availability metrics to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Develop reporting and insights that inform integrated planning and athlete management.
- Support long-term athlete development through data-informed recommendations and proactive intervention strategies.
Leadership & Staff Development
- Mentor and develop therapists, athletic trainers, interns, and other clinical support staff.
- Foster interdisciplinary learning and knowledge sharing across the department.
- Support onboarding, education, and professional development initiatives.
- Contribute to building a high-performing team culture grounded in teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.