Bracing the bitter-cold Minnesota weather, the United States Men’s National Team won a crucial World Cup qualifier on Wednesday against Honduras, 3-0.
Weston McKennie opened the scoring on a header in the eighth minute and Walker Zimmerman doubled the tally before the break as Gregg Berhalter’s team notched three points despite missing Tyler Adams and Chris Richards.
Winger Christian Pulisic didn’t start but made an appearance as a second-half substitute and was responsible for making it 3-0 on a loose ball in the box.
USA, which scored all its goals from set pieces, remained in second place in the Concacaf qualifying table with three tilts left.
Kellyn Acosta, who assisted on McKennie’s header, also had a hand in the second goal; his loft into the box fell to Zimmerman, who turned in front and tucked it away.
“We want to be in the positive [on set pieces] and we think that’s a big advantage that we have, and we haven’t been converting our opportunities,” USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter said. “But looking at the process of it rather than the results of it, we’ve had good opportunities to score, and we just haven’t scored.
“In terms of the process, I’ve been happy with both offensive and defensive set pieces. And tonight we got conversion from it.”
Honduras made a triple change at the half, and one player taken off was starting goalie Buba Lopez, who reportedly had to be treated for hypothermia. Romell Quioto’s halftime exit was also due to complications from the cold, though he was stable after the game.
The win puts the USMNT on the verge of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup ahead of the final three March matches.
Honduras, outshot 16-2, was already knocked out of World Cup contention.
The U.S. team did provide head coverings and heated benches to Honduras, but they weren’t as prepared as the home team, which was outfitted by the Minnesota Vikings.
