Tonight’s match against Orlando City is a must-win for Minnesota United. It’s not that Orlando is a team we’ll be competing with down the stretch this season (they’re near the top of the Eastern Conference, the Loons are near the bottom of the Western Conference), but because of what I call the pack principle.
The pack principle is something I have learned from experience competing in long distance track and field events. It is fairly simple to understand and put into practice, and it can pay big dividends. The premise is basic: races are easier (meaning maintaining a faster pace is less painful) when you’re running with a pack.