The American soccer federation faced severe criticism, particularly from officials of the Honduran federation, as the Spanish newspaper "Marca" revealed that the U.S. forced Honduras to play their World Cup qualifying match yesterday in extreme cold with temperatures reaching (17 degrees below zero). The match took place at Allianz Field in Minnesota, known for its harsh cold and prolonged snowfall during winter. The match concluded with a 3-0 victory for the U.S., bringing them closer to securing a spot in the 2022 World Cup.
The newspaper reported that the game started at a temperature of 17 degrees below zero and ended with a severe chill at 29 degrees below zero, which is unprecedented. Due to the cold, several players had to wear headgear and additional shirts, and the same applied to the match referee. Honduras coach Hernan Gomez criticized the American federation's decision to hold the match in Minnesota, expressing concern for player safety, especially after two of his players had to be withdrawn from the match due to the extreme cold.
Despite American officials taking various measures to alleviate the cold for players and fans, including providing 20,000 warm towels, hot beverages, and heating devices throughout the stands, these efforts did not lead to normal match conditions. This has led to criticism of the American federation from U.S. media, several public figures, and some players as well.
