Sydney Gray, one of only three female head Athletic Trainers in MLS, is always on her feet to keep the players on theirs.
“Supporting an athlete mentally, physically, emotionally — all of those pieces go into what an Athletic Trainer does,” Gray said.
Her passion for the profession started with personal experience.
“I played soccer my whole life, tore my ACL, went through a bunch of rehab,” she recalled. “We didn’t even have an Athletic Trainer on staff. They only covered football games, and that’s when the dream started.”
Brie Cecil shares a similar journey. A former player herself, she now serves as Nashville SC’s performance dietitian, ensuring players fuel their bodies for peak performance.
“Knowing what it feels like after a game day for recovery and what they need before makes a difference,” Cecil said.
At the team’s kitchen, she works closely with chefs to tailor meals to athletes' needs.
“One thing we’ve incorporated this year is mixing in the vegetables,” Cecil said. “That way, when we provide them lunch, it’s like, ‘This is what you’re getting,’ instead of, ‘This is an option.’”
Their impact doesn’t go unnoticed.
“We’re very lucky to have both of them,” defender Dan Lovitz said. “It’s great to see them every day and to know that they’re here for us and to help us reach our maximum potential.”
For Gray and Cecil, it’s about paving the way for others.
“I want girls to know they can get into any male-dominated sport,” Cecil said. “To not be afraid.”
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