This athletic trainer fulfilled his dream of going to the World Cup. Now, he's back supporting Sheboygan athletes.
SHEBOYGAN - Yoshi Ono, an athletic trainer at Aurora Health Care in Sheboygan County, fulfilled his long-time dream of going to the FIFA World Cup last fall.
Ono, who has been with the U.S. Soccer Federation for more than 10 years, was part of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team medical staff at the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, an accomplishment after the team didn’t qualify in 2018.
“Obviously, not getting there was a huge disappointment,” Ono said. “And once we knew we qualified, it wasn't enough. We wanted something more.
“We had the opportunity to really elevate our game here and show the world that we're here to contend and winning the World Cup is not impossible,” he continued. “I think we were able to show that and excite not just American fans, but just people around the world.”
Although the U.S. team beat Iran to get to the knockout round, the team failed to advance past the round of 16 after losing to the Netherlands 3-1.
Ono said it was a successful campaign and he looks forward to seeing what happens in four years when the U.S. hosts the World Cup in Houston.
Ono’s interest in going to the World Cup began when he trained with youth teams and a professional soccer team in Minnesota after completing graduate school.
“Once I got the taste of representing our country and the national team, my sight was on the World Cup, the ultimate stage,” he said.
His passion for the game, however, started when he was young. Whether playing with his brothers or in school, soccer was a constant growing up in seven different countries.
The sport also brought his wife and him together. His children play soccer now, too.
“It's been such a huge part of my life and really changed and kind of nurtured me to who I am,” he said.
Completing his venture to the World Cup, Ono is taking a break from the professional level to work with local high school and club team athletes, like the Lakeshore United FC boys' soccer team, following his work with the Lakeshore United FC girls' soccer team last fall.
Ono developed a program focused on sports performance and injury prevention in preparation for their season.
Libby Cleveland, a Lakeshore United FC player and Sheboygan North High School student, said she’s learned the importance of focusing on the whole body for injury prevention from working with Ono.
More:Lakeshore United FC made history as first Wisconsin youth soccer team to win national title
While the pressure an athlete feels may change depending on their level, Ono said the care he gives doesn’t change.
“The mental side of my heart is wanting them to succeed, wanting them to stay safe. And if an injury does happen, give (them) the best treatment we can to get (them) back,” Ono said. “That's something that I really want to give back to the community because they gave me the opportunity to step away from my community to pursue these goals.”
Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @alexx_garner.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan athletic trainer goes to World Cup in Qatar: Yoshi Ono
