The US Men’s National Team took on Honduras in a vital World Cup qualifier. The match kicked off in spite of the -16°C temperature in St. Paul, Minnesota. USMNT won the game 3-0 to consolidate their position in the qualifying race.
Now with a 6-3-2 record, USMNT comes second in the Concacaf Qualifiers, behind Canada. The US has a four-point lead over fourth-placed Panama. The top three teams gain automatic access to Qatar 2022.
On Wednesday evening, the USMNT players were challenged by the extremely low temperatures in Minnesota. Greg Berhalter’s men and their opponents from Honduras were allowed to wear full overhead balaclava coverings and gaiters over their mouths to lower the effects the freezing cold had on their bodies. US keeper Matt Turner tried to use a handwarmer, but the ref decided against it.
Undefeated in 11 (7-4-0) games, Canada leads the qualifiers with 25 points. US and Mexico are behind on with 21 points. The first three teams in the table gain tickets to the World Cup, while the fourth-placed will compete in an intercontinental playoff.
In March, USMNT will travel to Mexico and Costa Rica and will host Panama in the final preliminary round encounters.