Dr. Derek Lawrance DAT, ATC

Derek Lawrance is currently serving the United States Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) as a certified athletic trainer after starting in December of 2021. He was part of the USMNT athletic training staff in Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha, Qatar.

Before joining the USMNT, Derek spent a decade in Major League Soccer (MLS). Derek was the Director of Health and Performance at San Jose Earthquakes, overseeing all department efforts and working closely with athletic trainers, first team and academy coaches, psychologists, and other medical personnel. Derek was promoted to the Director position at the beginning of the 2020 MLS season after serving as the head athletic trainer ahead from January 2018 to December 2019 and the assistant athletic trainer from January 2013 to December 2017.

Derek began his professional career with an internship at D.C. United (MLS) before accepting a position as an assistant athletic trainer at Elon University in North Carolina. He worked with the school’s men’s soccer and softball from 2008-11, eventually moving back to MLS with Chivas USA in 2012.

Prior to his professional experience, Derek graduated with a BS in athletic training from James Madison University in 2006. He went on to complete his MS in exercise science at Georgia Southern University in 2008. Derek competed as a collegiate soccer player at Emory andHenry College from 2001-03.

Derek graduated from Florida International University in the fall of 2022 with his Doctorate in Athletic Training (DAT). He also holds NASM Certifications in Performance Enhancement (PES) and Corrective Exercise (CES)