July 24, 2022

SLU AT Student Sees an Interprofessional Approach to Care for Professional Athletes with Minnesota United FC


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Minnesota United Football Club
By: Lauren Swords (MAT Class of 2023)

This summer I have had the opportunity to work with Minnesota’s MLS team, Minnesota United FC. I have been mostly assigned to the United Next Pro and Academy teams. These teams have allowed me to be surrounded by professional athletes while still getting hands-on experience. I attend practice every day and assist with the rehab of our players. A new rehab technique I’ve been able to observe is dry needling which I have been super interested by and would like to explore certification in the future. 


It has been very interesting to see how the team operates at a national level. Since travel is a big part of the season, I’ve gotten to see how my preceptors pack their kits for long vs short stays and seen how every level of the club is all-hands on deck to make sure transitions go smoothly. 

Additionally, I have loved seeing the “it takes a village” aspect of the professional level. I have been able to work with sports science professionals, nutritionists, equipment managers, and physical therapists for the first time as a team. I am looking forward to the rest of my rotation and potentially traveling with Next Pro. 

Students in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program have an immersive field experience in the summer between their two professional years in the program. This blog post details a student's reflection on their experience.

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