Director of Sports Performance and Science
JOEY HARTYÂ was named Sporting Kansas City's Director of Sports Performance and Science ahead of the 2020 season, stepping up from his role as assistant fitness coach which he held from 2018-2019.
Harty manages all aspects of the club’s performance department from the academy to the senior team. He also oversees day-to-day training plans on and off the field, including work in the weight room, soccer session planning, on-field movement training, data analysis and more, aiming to optimize player health and performance.
Harty joined Sporting’s organization in January 2016, serving as a fitness coach for the Sporting Kansas City Academy. He spent the 2017 season as head fitness coach for Sporting KC II, helping the team to a Western Conference championship and an appearance in the USL Cup Final. The Colorado native then transitioned to assistant fitness coach for Sporting’s first team in January 2018 before landing his current role with the club.
Prior to arriving in Kansas City, Harty was the head strength coach for Phoenix Rising FC during the 2015 season. While working in the USL Championship, Harty also spent three years as the men’s and women’s soccer strength and conditioning coach at his alma mater, Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.
Harty boasts nearly eight years of athletic training experience, having served as the head performance coach for Phoenix Premier Youth Soccer Club while at Grand Canyon from 2013-2015. He attended the college from 2010-2014, played for the men’s soccer team from 2010-2012 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. In addition to holding several professional licenses and certifications in athletic performance, Harty is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.