Timbers hire John Ireland as club's fitness coach

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers today announced that John Ireland has been hired as the club’s fitness coach.

Ireland is in his ninth season as a strength and conditioning/fitness coach in Major League Soccer in 2012, having served seven seasons with the Colorado Rapids (2000-04; 2010-12) and one with the LA Galaxy (2008). He was on the Rapids staff in 2010, when the club won the MLS Cup.

“John brings a great deal of MLS and international experience to the club and is a great addition,” said Timbers Head Coach John Spencer.

As the Timbers’ fitness coach, Ireland will look after all aspects of the exercise functions performed by the players, including performance testing, sport-specific training, regeneration, injury rehabilitation and nutrition. Ireland replaces Karim Derqaoui.

Ireland’s professional background includes working with English side Derby County Football Club (2006-07) and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League, where he was on staff when the team won its first league championship in 2006.

Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Ireland earned a degree, with honors, in physical education and sport science from England’s Loughborough University, regarded as one of the top sport-science teaching institutions in the world. His experience includes work with elite athletes in a variety of sports, including baseball, basketball, football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, rugby, soccer and tennis.