The U.S . strategically picked frigid Minnesota for this match to minimize travel time, maintain consistency of conditions and, of course, gain an edge over …
The U. S. strategically picked frigid Minnesota for this match to minimize travel time, maintain consistency of conditions and, of course, gain an edge over an opponent from a tropical country. The Americans sure didn’t need the advantage against winless Honduras. They have a commanding, complete and confidence-boosting performance to build on, once they thaw out. Weston McKennie and Walker Zimmerman had first-half goals to give the U.S. an early spark on a frigid night and a fresh Christian Pulisic scored after entering in the second half, leading the Americans past Honduras 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday night. « Right from the opening whistle, » coach Gregg Berhalter said, « I knew that we were in good control. » Goalkeeper Matt Turner didn’t have to make a single save for the Americans, who emerged from the pandemic-altered schedule — forcing games in January and February — in second place with three matches to go. The U.S. outshot Honduras 16-2 and had 71.8% possession. « Once you get in that game mode, you just are out there competing, and that’s all that really matters, » Zimmerman said. The kickoff temperature was 3 degrees (minus-16 Celsius) with a minus-14 wind chill at Allianz Field, selected by the U.S. Soccer Federation along with Columbus, Ohio, to bracket a road game against Canada. The Americans beat El Salvador 1-0 on Thursday, when it was 29 in Ohio. They lost 2-0 to Canada in Hamilton, Ontario, when it was 22. The weather in Minnesota was a whole different level of chill, the coldest in U.S. team history and in violation of USSF guidelines for safe outdoor play. The game ended with a 1-degree temperature.
