ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 21, 2024) – Orlando City SC has announced that Gonzalo Rodríguez has been hired as the Club’s new Director of Health & Performance, joining the team as it wraps up its 2024 regular season campaign and pushes into the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Working alongside Dr. Craig Mintzer, chief medical officer and head orthopedic surgeon, and Dr. Justin Mullner, head primary care sports medicine physician, from the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, Rodríguez will oversee the strategic and operational leadership of medical, physical performance, nutrition and sports science departments across the entirety of the men’s pyramid.
In addition, Rodríguez will oversee and implement initiatives which support elite levels of physical capability, low levels of injury and support for cultural development, as well as high levels of mental resilience, and be responsible for exploring and implementing innovative technologies to enhance athlete performance.
"This was a long and detailed process in which we considered a high number of quality candidates from across the globe,” said Orlando City EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi. “Ultimately, Gonzalo brings a knowledge and worldly experience gained throughout his career that matched well with the Club’s goals and aligned with the team culturally. We’re excited to have Gonzalo with us as he helps our team progress into the next phase of our collective project here in Orlando.”
"Since starting here in Orlando my feelings have been very positive, it is a young Club with a great desire to grow. I hope that with my knowledge and previous experiences in elite teams and high-level competitions I can help the team to continue reaching new heights,” said Rodríguez. “Of course, this is not something that one person can achieve alone, so we’ll continue to place a high importance on teamwork and look for innovative ways to make the Health & Performance department even more functional and adapt to new technologies and the ever-changing demands of the game.”
The Barcelona, Spain native comes to City Beautiful with over 17 years of experience working in professional soccer around the world, including multiple national teams, England’s Liverpool FC, Spain’s Real Valladolid and most recently Liga MX’s Santos Laguna. Rodriguez’s professional work has seen him care for athletes in notable competitions including the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League and the Olympic Games.
Orlando City SC next returns home to Inter&Co Stadium to host Charlotte FC in Round One of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday, Oct. 27. The match is set to kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and FS1.
