Our Mission

The mission of PSPTA is to promote and encourage the application of the most advanced knowledge, techniques, and evidence-based practices in physical therapy as they relate to the sport of soccer — from prevention and training, to treatment and rehabilitation.

We function as a professional home for physical therapists in professional soccer: advocating for the welfare of our members, promoting safe and informed participation in the sport across all genders, ages, and levels of play, and upholding the integrity and ethical standards of our profession.

Our Story

PSPTA was founded to fill a critical gap: a dedicated professional community for physical therapists working inside professional soccer. Prior to PSPTA, these practitioners lacked a unified voice, a shared platform for knowledge exchange, and a formal structure to advocate for their players and their profession.

Today, PSPTA serves as that home — a place where soccer physical therapists can grow, connect, and lead.

Executive Leadership

PSPTA is led by a dedicated team of professionals who bring both clinical expertise and a deep passion for the sport. Our executive leadership guides the strategic direction of the association, represents our members’ interests, and ensures that PSPTA remains at the forefront of physical therapy in professional soccer.

Michael Messer

President

Nashville SC

Hilary Obert

Vice President

Seattle Sounders

Brad Papson

Secretary

Philadelphia Union

Matthew Weston

Treasurer

Portland Timbers

A Message from Our President

Welcome to the Professional Soccer Physical Therapy Association.

PSPTA was founded to create a community for physical therapists working in professional soccer. We believe that by sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and advancing our collective expertise, we can better serve the players, clubs, and communities that make the beautiful game such a meaningful part of our lives.

Our profession sits at a unique intersection of healthcare and high-performance sport. Every day, physical therapists are entrusted with helping athletes prevent injury, rehabilitate when injury occurs, and return safely to peak performance. As an association, we are committed to advancing evidence-based practice, fostering professional growth, and encouraging the exchange of ideas among physical therapists and the broader sports medicine community to help our athletes achieve these goals.

Just as importantly, PSPTA exists to promote safe and informed participation in soccer at all levels. While our members work in the professional game, we recognize our responsibility to contribute to the growth of the sport and to help advance the standards of care that benefit players of all ages, genders, and levels of participation.

At the heart of our association is a commitment to collaboration, integrity, and excellence. We are proud to work alongside physicians, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning professionals, sport scientists, dietitians, psychologists, and many others who share the common goal of providing the highest quality care possible.

The strength of PSPTA lies in the expertise, generosity, and passion of its members, and I am excited about what we can accomplish together. Whether you are an experienced clinician or new to professional soccer, I invite you to become an active part of this community. Together, we can continue to advance our profession, support one another, and set the standard for physical therapy in professional soccer.

Thank you for being part of PSPTA.

Follow Our Journey