What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sports Medicine Fellowship position at Philadelphia Union?
ABOUT OUR COMPANY
Awarded Major League Soccer’s 16th franchise in 2008, the Philadelphia Union officially took the pitch in 2010 and have been raising expectations ever since. Owned and operated by Union Sports & Entertainment, the Philadelphia Union call Subaru Park home—an 18,500-seat, world-class, soccer-specific stadium set along the Delaware River beneath the Commodore Barry Bridge, just 15 miles from downtown Philadelphia.
On the field, the Union have established themselves as one of Major League Soccer’s most consistent and competitive clubs. The team reached the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final three times (2014, 2015, and 2018), made multiple MLS Cup Playoff appearances, and captured the Supporters’ Shield in 2020 and again in 2025, recognizing the club’s excellence and consistency across the regular season. The Union also hosted the Eastern Conference Final in 2021, were crowned Eastern Conference Champions in 2022, and advanced to the MLS Cup Final that same year in one of the most thrilling matches in league history. The club has continued to represent Philadelphia on the international stage through participation in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.
Off the field, the Philadelphia Union are defined by a culture that is Young, Fearless, and Challenger-driven. We are unafraid to think differently, push boundaries, and pursue excellence in everything we do. We believe success is built through accountability, collaboration, innovation, and a relentless drive to raise the bar.
Our deep connection to Philadelphia is woven into who we are. From the Club’s crest and colors to the thirteen stars and rallying cry, the Union proudly reflect the city’s revolutionary spirit and its legacy as the birthplace of American independence. If you’re ready to challenge the ordinary and help shape the future of soccer in Philadelphia, we invite you to join us.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Philadelphia Union Sports Medicine Fellowship is a 12-month postgraduate athletic training fellowship designed to prepare certified athletic trainers for careers within Major League Soccer and elite professional sports environments. This immersive program provides hands-on experience working with Philadelphia Union Academy athletes and professional-level teams while receiving mentorship from experienced sports medicine and performance professionals.
The Fellow will play an active role in injury prevention, clinical care, rehabilitation, return-to-play programming, and daily medical operations. Through direct patient care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and structured educational experiences, the Fellow will develop advanced clinical competencies and gain exposure to the professional soccer performance pathway.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical Care & Athlete Support
Awarded Major League Soccer’s 16th franchise in 2008, the Philadelphia Union officially took the pitch in 2010 and have been raising expectations ever since. Owned and operated by Union Sports & Entertainment, the Philadelphia Union call Subaru Park home—an 18,500-seat, world-class, soccer-specific stadium set along the Delaware River beneath the Commodore Barry Bridge, just 15 miles from downtown Philadelphia.
On the field, the Union have established themselves as one of Major League Soccer’s most consistent and competitive clubs. The team reached the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final three times (2014, 2015, and 2018), made multiple MLS Cup Playoff appearances, and captured the Supporters’ Shield in 2020 and again in 2025, recognizing the club’s excellence and consistency across the regular season. The Union also hosted the Eastern Conference Final in 2021, were crowned Eastern Conference Champions in 2022, and advanced to the MLS Cup Final that same year in one of the most thrilling matches in league history. The club has continued to represent Philadelphia on the international stage through participation in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.
Off the field, the Philadelphia Union are defined by a culture that is Young, Fearless, and Challenger-driven. We are unafraid to think differently, push boundaries, and pursue excellence in everything we do. We believe success is built through accountability, collaboration, innovation, and a relentless drive to raise the bar.
Our deep connection to Philadelphia is woven into who we are. From the Club’s crest and colors to the thirteen stars and rallying cry, the Union proudly reflect the city’s revolutionary spirit and its legacy as the birthplace of American independence. If you’re ready to challenge the ordinary and help shape the future of soccer in Philadelphia, we invite you to join us.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Philadelphia Union Sports Medicine Fellowship is a 12-month postgraduate athletic training fellowship designed to prepare certified athletic trainers for careers within Major League Soccer and elite professional sports environments. This immersive program provides hands-on experience working with Philadelphia Union Academy athletes and professional-level teams while receiving mentorship from experienced sports medicine and performance professionals.
The Fellow will play an active role in injury prevention, clinical care, rehabilitation, return-to-play programming, and daily medical operations. Through direct patient care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and structured educational experiences, the Fellow will develop advanced clinical competencies and gain exposure to the professional soccer performance pathway.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical Care & Athlete Support
- Provide athletic training services including injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation for Academy athletes.
- Assist with daily medical coverage of training sessions, matches, tournaments, and Academy events.
- Implement and monitor individualized return-to-play and return-to-training programs in collaboration with performance staff.
- Support pre-participation physical screenings and ongoing athlete health monitoring.
- Assist with emergency care procedures and execution of emergency action plans.
Rehabilitation & Performance Integration
- Collaborate with strength and conditioning staff to ensure rehabilitation programs align with physical preparation goals.
- Assist with warm-up, recovery, and load-management strategies.
- Monitor athlete progress and communicate updates regarding health status and availability.
Documentation & Communication
- Document injuries, treatments, rehabilitation plans, and medical encounters in accordance with club, league, and professional standards.
- Communicate effectively with coaches, performance staff, physicians, and sports medicine personnel.
- Maintain athlete confidentiality and uphold best practices in sports medicine.
Professional Development
- Participate in one-on-one clinical mentoring with Academy and MLS sports medicine staff.
- Engage in structured educational and didactic programming.
- Contribute to an organized, professional, and collaborative sports medicine environment.
Fellow will gain experience in:
- Clinical care of Academy and professional-level athletes
- Practice and match coverage
- Rehabilitation and return-to-play programming
- Interdisciplinary collaboration with coaching, sports medicine, and performance departments
- Individual mentorship from MLS and Academy medical professionals
- Formal educational and didactic experiences
The ideal candidate possesses:
- A strong foundation in athletic training principles and evidence-based practice
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- The ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- A passion for soccer and athlete development
- A commitment to continuous learning and professional growth
- The flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and non-traditional hours associated with elite sports
- The ability to remain calm and effective in high-pressure situations
- A positive attitude and willingness to contribute to all aspects of the sports medicine operation
Most importantly, you are motivated to develop into a well-rounded sports medicine professional and are excited to contribute to the Philadelphia Union's mission of developing athletes both on and off the field.
REQUIREMENTS
- Current Board of Certification (BOC) Certification
- Ability to obtain Pennsylvania Athletic Training Licensure prior to start date
- Current CPR/AED and First Aid Certifications
- Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Willingness to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, and travel as needed
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and remain on feet for extended periods
Preferred
- Prior soccer or professional sports experience
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- Master's Degree in Athletic Training or a related field
- Experience working with adolescent and elite-level athletes
*Flexible schedule required to successfully complete job requirements, including nights, weekends and holidays. Occasional travel may be necessary*
WHY THE UNION?
At the Philadelphia Union, development is in our DNA. From our world-class academy to our front office, we believe in identifying talent early, investing in it fully, and creating real pathways for growth. If you’re driven, coachable, and willing to put in the work, the Union will match your ambition.
You’ll join a competitive, high-energy environment where:
- People get better every day as leaders and teammates
- Winning matters, but how we win matters just as much
- Coaching, feedback, and accountability are part of the culture, not buzzwords
- Soccer passion is real and matchdays mean something here
OUR PERKS
- 50% Union merchandise discount
- Other league and partner discounts
- 24/7 state-of-the-art Fitness Center, locker rooms, and Sportsplex
- On-site Café with grab-and-go options, salad bar, and grill
We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the requirements that are listed within this job description. Championship teams are built on diverse strengths. If you’re passionate about sports and excited about this role, we want to hear from you! We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class. We celebrate effort, creativity, and results. We challenge each other. We have fun. And we take pride in developing future leaders who go on to make an impact across the sports industry.