United seeks middle ground on new-age therapies and old-school work
When Adrian Heath played in the top flight of English soccer in the 1980s, the star midfielder didn ’t hop in an ice bath after a game to immediately start regenerating his legs after running miles upon miles. Heath, now Minnesota United ’s coach, said that therapy wasn’t around back in his playing days — much less the influx of new-age remedies available to the Loons players. There was one thing involving cold liquid he did do during his 18-year career: “After the game, a few pints with your mates,” he shared in his British accent. About 20 years later across the Atlantic Ocean in Major League Soccer , rookie midfielder Sam Cronin would dip in warm and cold baths in Toronto in 2009. But that, plus some stretching and spinning on the exercise bike, were the extent of techniques he recalled to help propel players into the next game. Now, up-and- coming forward Christian Ramirez ’s postgame ice bath is only the first step in a multifaceted approach to try to gain a competitive adva...
