In a short competition, the space between games can be as important as the 90 minutes themselves. The report says Ohio State’s Human Performance Collaborative is helping monitor workload through heart-rate data, GPS tracking, perceived-effort assessments and physiological markers.
That information is then used to shape recovery plans involving sleep, nutrition, hot and cold therapies, red-light treatment and flotation therapy. The aim is not simply to help players feel fresher, but to support performance while reducing the risk of physical problems.
“Quando entendemos o quanto o corpo deles está trabalhando e respondendo, precisamos recuperá-los rapidamente para o dia seguinte”, Hagen explained.
The relationship reportedly began during the 2022 World Cup, when Hagen was approached about helping establish a recovery operation at the United States team hotel. What started as tournament support has since developed into a longer collaboration between Ohio State and US Soccer.
The project also appears to have an academic dimension. The report says the partnership helped support doctoral research in exercise science and kinesiology, while future plans include educating coaches and making recovery tools more accessible.
“Tenho paixão pela ciência da recuperação e gosto de trabalhar diretamente com atletas e usuários finais”, Hagen said, stressing the value of combining controlled research with real-world feedback.
Reports say the United States opened with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, while Australia began with a 2-0 win against Türkiye. With both sides on three points, their second match carries early importance in the group.
The next storyline will be whether the recovery work behind the scenes can give the Americans greater energy and sharpness when the margins tighten on the field.