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For Destiny Lalaguna, Athletic Trainer for FC Tulsa, game day begins long before the first whistle blows — and ends long after the final one sounds.
“I grew up playing soccer. I have a passion for it,” said Lalaguna, who joined the club in January and works through Oklahoma State University Sports Medicine.
She’s worked in professional soccer for five years, including roles with Phoenix Rising FC and teams in Salt Lake City and New Hampshire.
On March 15, the day of FC Tulsa’s first home game, Lalaguna’s 14-hour shift began at 9:45 a.m. at Titan Sports Complex, the team’s practice headquarters.
“I walked into this space and was like, ‘Whoa, this is all mine?’” she recalled.
She and OSU athletic training student Dacie Sanders later moved operations to ONEOK Field. There, they prepped the locker rooms, hydration stations, and athletic training room before players arrived.
“Right now, 70% of my job is injury prevention,” Lalaguna said. “But if an injury does come up, part of my job is keeping their mental, emotional, and spiritual health in good condition.”
Goalkeeper Johan Penaranda likened her role to that of a mechanic:
“Without a good Athletic Trainer, it does hold a team back from being the best it can be.”
Beyond physical care, Lalaguna considers cultural needs, especially during Ramadan.
“It’s just being aware of their culture and religion,” she said.
Just before kickoff, Lalaguna led the medical team meeting — part of her responsibility as first responder on the field.
FC Tulsa won that night, and Lalaguna only had to step on the field once.
“It’s always rewarding to see the team succeed,” she said. “I get to work in my favorite sport every day and get paid for it. It’s the best.”
Read her full story and Day in the Life here!
