We caught Women’s Soccer Club Gotham FC X Washington Spirit at Sports Illustrated Stadium, NJ, to watch pre-game warm-ups and take in the game in the TYLENOL VIP Suite. It was a fun match to see, ending in a tie-score after some good scoring attempts and excellent defensive efforts.
We asked Jen Gow, US Head of Pain at Kenvue, and Dr. Chang, NWSL Chief Medical Officer, about TYLENOL’s multi-year collaboration with Gotham FC; supporting the team’s health, aid recovery and helping keep elite athletes at the top of their games.
We spoke about TYLENOL’s “Relief Zone,” where NWSL fans can receive branded
recovery kit giveaways, misting fans, and cool towels through the season. Also we explored activations they will have to support athletic trainers, celebrate recovery, and spotlight resilience of NWSL players and women’s sports.
ATHLEISURE MAG: TYLENOL has announced a multi-year collaboration with Women’s Soccer Club Gotham FC, how will it support the team’s elite athlete’s health, aid recovery and help keep them at the top of their game?
JEN GOW: As the Official Pain Reliever of the NWSL, TYLENOL® is so excited to support players throughout the season by equipping league trainers with the tools they need to aid recovery and help keep athletes in the game. We are stocking each trainer’s bag with TYLENOL® products for use with athletes on and off the field, pending their pain relief needs.
AM: Tell us more about the slogan “#TylenolPartner I can love the game without the pain,” and how it promotes pain relief goals for athletes and fans.
JG: We know a tackle can hurt, but also know those stadium seats can cause many aches. As a brand, we’re here for all types of minor aches and pains so that everyone can focus on cheering, supporting and playing the game.
Athletes are constantly undergoing stress on their body during training and performance, often resulting in minor aches and pains. TYLENOL® offers a portfolio of products that can meet each athletes’ individual pain needs, so the result is a personalized recovery routine to help them feel their best on and off the field.
AM: From the TYLENOL PRECISE™ Pain Relieving Patches and Nighttime Cream, to TYLENOL 8HR Muscle Aches and Pain Caplets, Extra Strength TYLENOL Rapid Release Gels, and more, how does TYLENOL provide fast, effective pain relief to athletes to ensure they can stay active and competitive?
JG: The brand is continuously innovating to meet consumer needs when it comes to pain relief. Most recently, we launched TYLENOL® PRECISE™ Pain Relieving Patches. This innovation has 12-hour flexible adhesion technology to stick with you—and they are transparent so you can place them wherever pain hits!
AM: What is TYLENOL Proactive Support for Muscles and Joints and how does it help overall health and well-being? How does this move into reactive and proactive supplements help athletes, fans and consumers with health and pain management support?
JG: Proactive Support from the Makers of TYLENOL® is a new drug-free supplement powered by a blend of turmeric and tamarind to deliver improvement in joint flexibility and comfort. We made this step into the supplement space in partnership with medical professionals to offer an effective supplement for consumers to take a proactive approach in improving their joint comfort.
AM: The TYLENOL® FAN PAIN POINTS Survey with Wakefield Research indicated some very interesting results, including the majority of sports fans (52%) believe they are more active when attending a live sporting event than on a typical day; 43% of fans regularly pack an OTC pain reliever when attending live sporting events; and 70% say going to live sporting events is physically taxing, with nearly 7 in 10 (69%) stating they would go to more games if the experience were less demanding. What are some products, tools and tips to help reduce painful activities for fans attending and cheering on teams in live events?
JG: It’s always a good idea to come prepared to a game – who knows how many stairs you may need to climb to get to your seat or if you’ll be standing longer during overtime cheering on your team. Keep TYLENOL® PRECISE™ in your car for post-game muscle aches or add a travel-sized pack of TYLENOL® Extra Strength to your gameday bag, so you can be prepared should a minor ache or pain occur.
AM: What activations will TYLENOL have at Sports Illustrated Stadium to support athletic trainers, celebrate recovery, and spotlight resilience of NWSL players? What is TYLENOL’s “Relief Zone,” and how have NWSL fans reacted to branded recovery kit giveaways, misting fans, cool towels through the season?
JG: Our multi-faceted collaboration with Gotham FC features comprehensive on-site activations, including equipping the trainers with products they need to aid player recovery and season-long representation at Gotham FC’s pregame Fan Fest. Our branded giveaways have been a huge hit with fans, and the continued growth of the NWSL alongside the amazing fandom at Sports Illustrated Stadium is incredible to see! I took my kiddos a few weeks ago...my 5 year old loved the ball pit and my 3 year old held the “Tylenol #1 Doc Recommended” foam finger the entire game!
AM: Beginning in 2026, what will Gotham FC match theme nights and community programs presented by TYLENOL entail?
JG: We’re actively collaborating with the Gotham FC team to determine how we can continue to meaningfully engage with the fans and support the team in even more ways next season!
AM: How does TYLENOL elevate opportunities in women’s sports and go beyond the medicine cabinet?
JG: Through our sponsorships with the NWSL and Gotham FC, alongside our commitment to the Women’s Sports Foundation with our Athlete Recovery and Care Commitment Grant, TYLENOL® is going beyond our product to meet women athletes with direct support and critical funding so they can continue the game they love.
AM: What are some products and tips for executives and business travelers to stay productive and at the top of their work on long days, commutes and big travel itineraries?
JG: It’s incredibly important to me to get outside and be active after work. I have recently embraced the Pickleball trend and wow, it can cause some pain! My wife and I both take a Proactive Support from the Makers of TYLENOL® supplement every day and it truly has helped our joint comfort after exercise.
AM: TYLENOL recognizes that pursuing greatness hurts. What is The Care Commitment by TYLENOL? How does this fund and $1M pledge with the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) help injured athletes and their painful physical and financial setbacks on the road to recovery?
JG: This grant was established by TYLENOL® in partnership with the Women’s Sports Foundation® (WSF®) to provide a much-needed recovery fund for injured women athletes who are on their road to recovery post-injury. To date, we’ve awarded grants to 20 deserving athletes, providing financial support as they rehab to get back into the game and continue their pursuit of greatness.
ATHLEISURE MAG: What does it mean for TYLENOL to have a strategic collaboration with Gotham FC, after being named Official Pain Relief multi-year sponsor of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) earlier this year?
DR. CHANG: After being named the Official Pain Reliver of the National Women’s Soccer League this year, TYLENOL® wanted to expand their support of the league and engage more directly with a local team and its fan base. This collaboration also includes on-site activations at Gotham FC’s pregame Fan Fest, where the brand will provide TYLENOL® product giveaways, merchandise and more to prepare fans as they head into the game. The fans have loved it!
AM: How is this collaboration meaningful for supporting player health and women’s sports?
DR. C: As a League, our top priority is protecting the health and well-being of our athletes. The growth of women’s professional soccer has brought greater demands on our Players’ bodies, making recovery resources and medical support more important than ever. Collaborations like this one with Tylenol provide additional support for our medical teams and athletes, and we value partners who share our commitment to Player care.
AM: How can equipping league trainers with TYLENOL products and tools help aid performance, recovery and keep athletes in the game?
DR. C: Athletic trainers are on the front lines of Player health, and having access to reliable tools that support their recovery including safe pain management helps them do their jobs more effectively. While no one product can replace the core fundamentals of injury prevention, training, and rehabilitation, we appreciate having a resource like Tylenol available as part of a broader toolkit for Player care.
AM: How does the partnership with TYLENOL help women athletes and fans embrace the love of the game?
DR. C: Our fan base is the heart of our league, and TYLENOL® recognizes that they deserve care just as much as the players do. By hosting product giveaways for fans during pre-game events and offering product discounts, TYLENOL® is helping ensure that our tremendous fans can be on the sidelines to cheer on the team, without any minor aches and pains slowing them down.
AM: What are the types and how often are there injuries in women’s soccer matches? Are there specific injuries that occur more frequently for female soccer players?
DR. C: In women’s professional soccer, we most often see lower extremity injuries such as ankle sprains, muscle strains, and knee joint injuries. Female soccer players, in particular, face a higher risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears compared with their male counterparts, and that remains an important area of ongoing research and prevention eborts. We also recognize that overuse injuries such as stress fractures, tendinopathies, and muscle strains can occur during our season especially with the competitive balance across our League. Our focus is always on prevention, early recognition and optimal management, and safe return to play.
AM: What are some tips for soccer players and fans for injury prevention in training and playing soccer; promoting resilience; and optimizing recovery?
DR. C: For elite soccer players, injury prevention starts with evidence-based programs that emphasize neuromuscular control and strength training, especially of the core/hips and lower extremities. Monitoring training loads can also help to prevent overuse injuries. Good sleep, adequate hydration, and proper nutrition are essential cornerstones to promote resilience and optimize recovery. Resilience also involves building strong support networks, such as a positive team environment and dedicated medical teams. Recovery also means listening to your body and recognizing early warning signs in order to seek timely professional medical care.
For recreational players or even fans inspired to learn how to play soccer (it’s never too late!), many of the same principles apply: warm up before activity, gradually progress the duration and intensity of play at the beginning of the season, and maintain a fitness routine during the week (especially if you only play one game a week). Injury prevention and recovery strategies are not limited to professional athletes—they can help anyone stay active and enjoy the game for years to come.
AM: We’ve now learned fans can exert themselves too by walking, sitting and intensely cheering on their favorite team and players at the game! Go Gotham FC! How can fans aim to reduce pain themselves before, during and after the big game?
DR. C: Attending an NWSL soccer match can be demanding—standing in lines, climbing stairs, and sitting and standing for long periods cheering. Fans can reduce discomfort by starting adequate hydration and food intake 24 hours before the game and getting a good night’s rest, and then staying hydrated and well fed, and wearing supportive footwear and appropriate clothing and headwear for the weather conditions. Even standing up and stretching and taking breaks to walk around the stadium is beneficial. If minor aches or soreness do occur, over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol’s topical relief or its traditional oral options can also help.
IG @tylenol
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 42 - 45, 49, 51 Gotham FC/Megan Santaniello | PG 46 Getty Images/Tylenol |
Read the SEP ISSUE #117 of Athleisure Mag and see PAIN RECOVERY FOR ATHLETES & FANS in mag.
