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News Release

Interviews: Soccer Safety Tips From Portland Thorns Physician - 07/06/26

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 6, 2026) ~ As World Cup excitement brings more athletes onto the soccer field, Kaiser Permanente Northwest is offering expert guidance to help players of all ages stay healthy and avoid preventable injuries. Dr. Jacqueline Brady, Sports Medicine Physician for Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Team Physician for the Portland Thorns, is available to share soccer safety tips, from injury prevention and hydration to recognizing when it’s time to seek care.

Whether it's a youth player, weekend athlete, or competitive soccer player, the sport offers important health benefits but can also lead to injuries including muscle strains, knee and ankle injuries, concussions, and dehydration without proper preparation and safety measures.

"Soccer is a sport that brings people together and keeps people moving, but players of all ages need to remember that preparation is just as important as performance," said Dr. Brady. "Taking time to warm up properly, build strength, stay hydrated, and listen to your body can make a big difference in preventing injuries and keeping athletes on the field."

Dr. Brady recommends that athletes gradually build up their training, use the proper equipment, prioritize recovery, and avoid playing through unusual pain. She also encourages parents and coaches to recognize when an injury needs medical attention to prevent a minor issue from becoming a more serious problem.

Interviews available:

Dr. Jackie Brady, Sports Medicine Physician for Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Team Physician for the Portland Thorns, is available for interviews on Tuesday, July 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule.

Dr. Brady is available to discuss:

  • Common soccer injuries and how players can help prevent them

  • Injury prevention tips for youth athletes, recreational players, and competitive soccer players

  • The importance of warmups, stretching, strength training, and recovery

  • How to recognize and respond to possible concussions

  • Hydration strategies and preventing dehydration during practices and games

  • The role of proper footwear, shin guards, and other soccer equipment

  • When athletes should stop playing and seek medical evaluation

  • How parents and coaches can help keep young athletes safe

About Kaiser Permanente 

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.9 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org. 

Interviews: Soccer Safety Tips From Portland Thorns Physician - 07/06/26

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 6, 2026) ~ As World Cup excitement brings more athletes onto the soccer field, Kaiser Permanente Northwest is offering expert guidance to help players of all ages stay healthy and avoid preventable injuries. Dr. Jacqueline Brady, Sports Medicine Physician for Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Team Physician for the Portland Thorns, is available to share soccer safety tips, from injury prevention and hydration to recognizing when it’s time to seek care.

Whether it's a youth player, weekend athlete, or competitive soccer player, the sport offers important health benefits but can also lead to injuries including muscle strains, knee and ankle injuries, concussions, and dehydration without proper preparation and safety measures.

"Soccer is a sport that brings people together and keeps people moving, but players of all ages need to remember that preparation is just as important as performance," said Dr. Brady. "Taking time to warm up properly, build strength, stay hydrated, and listen to your body can make a big difference in preventing injuries and keeping athletes on the field."

Dr. Brady recommends that athletes gradually build up their training, use the proper equipment, prioritize recovery, and avoid playing through unusual pain. She also encourages parents and coaches to recognize when an injury needs medical attention to prevent a minor issue from becoming a more serious problem.

Interviews available:

Dr. Jackie Brady, Sports Medicine Physician for Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Team Physician for the Portland Thorns, is available for interviews on Tuesday, July 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule.

Dr. Brady is available to discuss:

  • Common soccer injuries and how players can help prevent them

  • Injury prevention tips for youth athletes, recreational players, and competitive soccer players

  • The importance of warmups, stretching, strength training, and recovery

  • How to recognize and respond to possible concussions

  • Hydration strategies and preventing dehydration during practices and games

  • The role of proper footwear, shin guards, and other soccer equipment

  • When athletes should stop playing and seek medical evaluation

  • How parents and coaches can help keep young athletes safe

About Kaiser Permanente 

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.9 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.