Last updated on August 3rd, 2022 at 04:19 pm

How does the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team find pain relief when they are training hard or recovering from a tough match?

Just ask Pierre Barrieu, the team’s assistant coach and head fitness coach. For years, Barrieu has been treating his players with Boiron’s Arnica-based medicines, like Sportenine for cramps, exhaustion and muscular fatigue, and Arnica pellets and Arnicare topicals for muscle aches, stiffness and bruising.

“I have been progressively introducing Sportenine, Arnicare and [Arnica] pellets since 2002, right before the World Cup in Korea and Japan. Two World Cups later, it has now become a part of the players’ regimen,” says Barrieu. “Players understand the value of [the medicines], from the pain relief to the prevention of cramps. Boiron products are used every day during the week—training days, recovery days and treatment, and in the locker room before games. Sportenine in particular is now part of the pre-game ritual for some of our players.”

Originally from Thionville, France (about four hours north of Boiron’s headquarters in Lyon), Barrieu is a former professional team handball player, and holds a Master’s in Sports Science and several coaching certificates. He was the fitness coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team from 2002-2006, spent the 2007 major league soccer season with the New York Red Bulls, and then rejoined the U.S. team in 2008.

The U.S. Men’s Team returns to the field in a match against Poland tomorrow (October 9) in Chicago, Ill., and on October 12 against Colombia in Chester, Pa. They then travel to South Africa for a match on November 17.  We ‘re sure there will be plenty of Arnicare and Sportenine on hand!