PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced additions to their medical staff for the 2018 Major League Soccer season.
Heading into the new campaign, the Timbers have named Matthew Weston as the head performance physical therapist and Matt Hauck as the sports performance analyst for the first team. Additionally, Taichi Kitagawa and Alex Margarito return as the assistant athletic trainers, working alongside head athletic trainer Jon MacGregor. In addition to the Timbers’ employed medical staff, the club will continue to work with Providence Sports Medicine physical therapists Eric Marchek and Nick Thompson.
Entering his first season with the Timbers, Weston obtains his doctorate in physical therapy from Sacred Heart University and also holds advanced degrees and certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA), United Soccer Coaches, and others. Weston’s experience in physical therapy has included state, provincial, and national level athletics, including multiple Olympic medalists. Most recently, he served as head physical therapist for the Chinese national sailing team and the Shanghai provincial sports training academies. He has also served as an international presenter on sports physical therapy and training integration.
Entering his fourth season with the club and his first full season with the Timbers’ first team, Kitagawa holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology concentration in athletic training from San Jose State University and a master of science in kinesiology and exercise science concentration in neuromechanics from Oregon State University. Prior to joining the first team midway through the 2017 campaign, Kitagawa spent two seasons (2015-17) as the head athletic trainer for T2, while also spending one season (2014-15) as athletic trainer for the Timbers Academy.
Margarito, who holds a bachelor’s degree in kineisology from San Jose State University, enters his fifth season as an assistant athletic trainer with the Timbers. Prior to joining the Timbers in 2014, Margarito spent time working as the head athletic trainer for Evergreen Valley College in 2013, and as an athletic training intern for the San Jose Earthquakes in 2013.
Heading into his first season with the Timbers, Hauck holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Western Oregon University and a master of science in exercise and sport science from Oregon State University. Additionally, Hauck is a certified strength and conditioning specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Prior to joining the Timbers, Hauck spent one year (2016) working as the sport science research director for Falcon Pursuit. Hauck has also served as the sport science coordinator and graduate strength coach for Oregon State University’s football program, while also working as the instructor of exercise and sport science in two years (2013-15) with Oregon State University.
