PERFORMANCE COACH, ACADEMY

LAFC is an MLS soccer club serving the greater Los Angeles area, dedicated to building a world-class team that represents the diversity of Los Angeles and delivers an unrivaled experience for fans. The club is owned by local leaders and innovators in entertainment, sports, technology, and media, and operates BMO Stadium and a top-flight training center at Cal-State Los Angeles.

About the role

The Performance Coach, LAFC Academy, enhances and supports player fitness, health, safety, and performance while complying with MLS, MLS NextPro, and MLS Next league policies. This role uses research-based best practices and data tracking to maximize on-field and gym performance, injury prevention, and return-to-play programming for academy players and teams. Reports to the Performance Manager.

Responsibilities

• Lead strength and conditioning coaching for Academy players, aligned with the Club’s strength development curriculum.
• Conduct on-field performance coaching, including position-specific speed, agility, movement skills, and return-to-play training protocols.
• Implement training session-specific preparation and activation in line with LAFC’s Training Methodology.
• Oversee all match-related performance aspects: pre-match activation, team warm-up, technical preparation, substitute preparation, and post-game physical loading.
• Manage data streams including Catapult GPS and Vald Performance Testing Hub, and oversee in-training and game tracking.
• Collaborate with Performance and Medical teams to design and administer individualized pre-training activation protocols.
• Work with the Performance Manager to implement and monitor Academy team and individual player periodization.
• Perform activation and regeneration sessions as needed.
• Design and implement weight room physical testing protocols.
• Evaluate player performance through testing, workload monitoring, and team-specific metrics.
• Use performance data to educate staff and players on strategies for improving performance, training, recovery, and injury prevention.
• Design, modify, and apply assessment protocols to analyze sport demands and athlete capabilities.
• Maintain accurate records of performance metrics, training loads, and recovery data.
• Stay current with sports science research and advancements to apply best practices.
• Support a data-driven approach to athlete management and performance enhancement.
• Travel with the team to away games and tournaments, supporting staff in player management and upholding LAFC standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor/Management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Physical Education, or related field (or National Federation’s equivalent). Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar role, preferably at an elite/professional sports team or MLS Academy.
• Certified Strength and Conditioning certification (NSCA, UKSCA, ASCA, or equivalent internationally recognized).
• CPR certified.
• Experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary sports medicine and sports science department (preferred).
• Experience with sports science technologies such as Catapult GPS, FirstBeat, and Vald Performance.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build trust with players and staff.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to translate data into clear, actionable insights in English (verbal and written).
• Flexible work and travel schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required by the event calendar.
• Valid U.S. passport or ability to obtain one; must be able to travel with the team.

Pay

$72,000 - $75,000 per year.