Physical Therapist, First Team

Job Description Summary

We elevate Kansas City through soccer experiences and create memories through personalized touchpoints with our club. Our promise is to continually delight our fans and set the benchmark for best practices across Major League Soccer.

Sporting Kansas City’s values are to be experience obsessed, high performance in all that we do, exemplify accountability, demonstrate integrity and to always put the club first.

The First Team Physical Therapist for Sporting Kansas City is responsible for providing comprehensive physical therapy, rehabilitation, and return-to-play services.

The position encompasses the evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of player injuries, with a focus on optimizing player health, availability, and safe return to training and competition.

As a member of the First Team High-Performance Department, the Physical Therapist will work collaboratively with physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and performance staff to develop and deliver individualized rehabilitation and return-to-play plans that prepare players for the physical demands of elite professional soccer.

Job Description

Essential Functions

Provide comprehensive physical therapy services to First Team players, including injury evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, injury-risk reduction, and return-to-play programming.

Evaluate acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries and develop individualized, evidence-based treatment and rehabilitation plans specific to the demands of professional soccer.

Administer appropriate treatment (i. e., manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, passive modalities, return-to-sport testing, etc.) as devised through the rehabilitation plan.

Collaborate closely with team physicians, athletic trainers, massage therapists, performance staff, sports scientists and nutritionists to align player care and develop safe, effective return-to-play plans.

Utilize clinical assessment, objective testing, GPS/load data, and soccer-specific performance criteria to monitor rehabilitation progress and guide return-to-train and return-to-play decisions.

Develop individualized injury-risk reduction and supplemental programs based on player injury history, clinical findings, and physical demands.

Provide daily First Team physical therapy support, including player preparation, treatment, rehabilitation, recovery, and post-training care.

Provide physical therapy and medical support during pre-seasons, home matches and tournaments.

Manage rehabilitation following significant injuries and surgical procedures, collaborating with physicians, surgeons, physical therapists and external specialists as appropriate.

Communicate player rehabilitation status, progress, restrictions and return-to-training recommendations to the multidisciplinary team while maintaining appropriate medical confidentiality and documentation.

Remain current on best practices in sports physical therapy and professional soccer rehabilitation while contributing to the continued development of the Club's rehabilitation and return-to-play processes.

Personal Attributes

Strong understanding of the physical demands of professional soccer and the rehabilitation needs of elite athletes.

Strong clinical reasoning and decision-making skills with a performance-focused approach to rehabilitation and return to play.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and strong relationships with players and staff.

• Collaborative team member who works effectively with medical, performance, and coaching staff.
• Detail-oriented and analytical, with the ability to use clinical findings, objective testing, and performance data to guide rehabilitation decisions.
• Composed, adaptable, and solutions-oriented in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.

Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, and a commitment to player health, continued learning, and evidence-based practice.

Skills and Experience

Professional degree in Physical Therapy (Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT); preferred) from a CAPTE-accredited program and current Physical Therapist license, or ability to obtain licensure.

Minimum of three (3) years of physical therapy experience within professional or elite-level sport preferred.

Strong knowledge of soccer-specific rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, biomechanics, and return-to-play principles.

Experience utilizing objective testing, GPS, and athlete-monitoring technologies to support rehabilitation and return-to-play decisions.

• Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary medical, performance, and coaching team.
• SCS, OCS, CSCS, or comparable sports performance credentials preferred.
• Current CPR/AED certification required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred.

Valid passport and flexibility to work First Team schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and domestic/international travel.

Physical Abilities

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and provide hands-on athletic training and rehabilitation services.

Must be able to assist athletes with therapeutic and functional activities and move or utilize medical, rehabilitation, and athletic-training equipment consistent with the essential functions of the position.

The role will be performed both indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions, including frequent exposure to the sun and heat, as well as wet, cold conditions.

• Must be able to work for extended periods in indoor and outdoor training and competition environments.
• Ability to maintain emotional control in stressful situations.
• Required to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary.
• Required to travel at various times during the year.

Sporting Kansas City is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create an empowering environment for a diverse and inclusive team of associates who make a positive impact on our club and our community. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.