---
title: "From Sunrise to Stadium Lights: AT Destiny Lalaguna’s Game Day Grind with FC Tulsa"
description: Athletic Trainer Destiny Lalaguna powers FC Tulsa behind the scenes, blending injury prevention, cultural awareness, passion for soccer into every game day.
image: https://blog.healthyroster.com/hubfs/Athletic%20Training%20And%20Sports%20Medicine%20News-1.jpg
---

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 June 23, 2026

# From Sunrise to Stadium Lights: AT Destiny Lalaguna’s Game Day Grind with FC Tulsa

![Picture of Tim Clark](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tim%20Clark.jpg?width=50&name=Tim%20Clark.jpg) By  [ Tim Clark ](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/author/tim-clark)  ·   1 minute read

![Articles for Athletic Trainers and News Stories](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Athletic%20Training%20News%20and%20Articles%20-%20Small.png?width=500&height=150&name=Athletic%20Training%20News%20and%20Articles%20-%20Small.png)

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.

<https://news.okstate.edu/articles/health-sciences/2025/day-in-life-osu-sports-medicine-fc-tulsa-athletic-trainer-destiny-lalaguna.html>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](https://news.okstate.edu/articles/health-sciences/2025/day-in-life-osu-sports-medicine-fc-tulsa-athletic-trainer-destiny-lalaguna.html)! 

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