CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014) – The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has named Ivan Pierra its Director of the Sports Medicine Department. Pierra, the first trainer in Galaxy history, returns to the Galaxy after working as the Head Athletic Trainer for the U.S. Soccer Federation since 2008. Pierra worked with the Galaxy from 1996-2008. The veteran sports medicine professional is one of only two athletic trainers in Galaxy history, replacing Armando Rivas who accepted a position with the Chicago Bulls of the NBA.
In the Galaxy’s inaugural season in 1996, Pierra began his initial stint with the Galaxy, where he worked as the athletic trainer for over 10 years before accepting a full-time position as Head Athletic Trainer for the U.S. Men’s National Team in 2008. Prior to then, he had freelanced on the U.S. Soccer Federation staff, including time working with then head coach Bruce Arena. In all, Pierra has worked in four FIFA World Cup tournaments (1994, 1998, 2010, 2014) with the U.S. Soccer Federation, serving as the Head Athletic Trainer in 2010 and 2014 under head coaches Bob Bradley and Jurgen Klinsmann.
Pierra began his professional career in 1993 after he started working as an athletic trainer for the soccer team Los Angeles Salsa in the American Professional Soccer League. He attended Cal State-Fullerton University from 1990-1993, where he earned a degree in physical education before receiving his Masters of Science in kinesiology in 1999.
Using sports science and medicine programs, Pierra is responsible for monitoring all aspects of player health and fitness for the LA Galaxy, LA Galaxy II and LA Galaxy Academy.
