Sean Buckley is a distinguished performance and sports science leader with more than 25 years working at the highest levels of professional soccer. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, he currently serves as Head of Performance for Real Salt Lake (2024–2025), where he played a pivotal role in helping the club set a new record with 59 points in a single MLS season.
Before that, he served as Head of Sports Science at Minnesota United FC (2022–2023), where he leveraged advanced athlete testing and monitoring systems to optimize training loads, reduce injury risk, and elevate player performance. His earlier stints include roles as First Team Performance Coach for Phoenix Rising FC, Mazatlán FC (Mexico), AEK Larnaca (Cyprus), and Lobos BUAP (Mexico).
With strong foundations in sports science and strength & conditioning, Buckley is fluent in both English and Spanish and has led the integration of athlete monitoring technologies such as GPS, Vald, and TrainHeroic across professional squads. His expertise spans performance program design, leadership, staff management, operations, and business strategy.
Throughout his career, he has held prominent roles in Mexico, Cyprus, and the U.S., including leadership positions at Cruz Azul and Pumas UNAM, and has even ventured into entrepreneurship as a franchise owner. His academic credentials include a Master’s in Sports Science, an MBA, and undergraduate degrees in the United States.
In this conversation, we explore how Sean balances cutting edge science with coaching intuition, builds resilient and high performing squads, and steers performance programs across diverse environments.
In this conversation, we explore how Sean balances cutting edge science with coaching intuition, builds resilient and high performing squads, and steers performance programs across diverse environments.
Our exclusive interview with Sean Buckley
You have driven performance across different leagues and cultures. What core principles guide your approach to building performance systems that transcend context?
My approach is guided by the principle that everything we do must serve one critical goal of arriving on match day with as many players as possible available and in peak condition to perform. I build strong personal relationships with players to earn credibility and buy-in, allowing performance strategies to truly take hold. Across cultures and leagues, I balance scientific theory with real world practicality, ensuring systems are both evidence based and adaptable to each unique environment.
In your time at Real Salt Lake you used live GPS data to adapt training loads and reduce injuries. Can you walk us through a practical example where real time adjustments made a measurable difference?
At Real Salt Lake, I used live GPS data to monitor team averages in key metrics like High-Speed Running and sprint distance, particularly during mid-week sessions designed to prepare players for match demands. I routinely set target objectives for these metrics to ensure players receive the proper physical stimulus while minimizing the risk of hamstring injuries. By tracking data in real time, I could advise the head coach to add or shorten the duration of 11v11 open field play to precisely meet, but not exceed those load targets, resulting in improved readiness and fewer soft tissue issues across the season.
By tracking data in real time, I could advise the head coach to add or shorten the duration of 11v11 open field play to precisely meet, but not exceed those load targets.
How do you align strength, conditioning, sports science, and recovery protocols in a way that supports both peak match performance and long-term durability?
I align strength, conditioning, sports science, and recovery by first analyzing each player’s individual match and training loads to plan the week accordingly to identify who needs extra conditioning or playing minutes and who requires recovery or modified strength work. Some athletes can tolerate slightly higher gym volumes, while others need focused maintenance of strength and power to sustain performance through the season. Just as important, I always try and “know my players.” I speak with them daily to understand how they feel, combining that subjective feedback with objective data to fine tune their workloads and optimize their development and sport performances.
Having worked in Mexico, Cyprus, and MLS, how do you adapt your methodologies to different player profiles, expectations, and resource environments?
When entering a new environment, whether in Mexico, Cyprus, or MLS, I start by quickly assessing all available resources: technology, gym and field equipment, training space, and the level of support staff. I also determine how much input the head coach allows in decisions around load management and training design. With this context established, I draw on years of experience to build the most effective and stimulating performance program possible and one that fits the environment while maximizing player readiness and long-term development. I have learned that all organizations and club dynamics are different, and I am the one that needs to adapt while still providing the essence of my experience.
As someone who leads staff, operations, and also engages in business and financial management, how do you balance performance culture with organizational sustainability?
I balance performance culture with organizational sustainability by combining my formal education in sports science, strength and conditioning, and an MBA with my hands on experience as a business owner, performance coach, and performance director. This blend allows me to make decisions that support both elite athletic outcomes and long-term operational efficiency whether it’s investing in equipment, building a performance facility from the ground up, hiring and mentoring staff, or implementing high performance programs on the field and in the gym. My goal is always to serve the club’s broader vision while ensuring every resource directly contributes to player performance and organizational growth.
Beyond your current role, what new projects or goals are you pursuing?
Sean Buckley: In the second half of 2025, I’ve dedicated my time to launching Pro Kicks, the ultimate soccer challenge designed for players of all ages and skill levels from elite professionals to rising stars. This fast paced, competitive game enhances technical ability, precision, and decision making while keeping training fun and engaging. As I continue growing this venture (more at http://www.prokicks.shop), my goal is to secure my next coaching or performance director position in elite soccer by the start of 2026, where I can bring renewed energy and innovation to a professional environment.