The United States has taken a major step towards qualifying for the 2022 World Cup with three separate goals in a 3-0 victory over Honduras which has already ended in the coldest Minnesota on Wednesday.
Weston McKennie, Walker Zimmerman, and Christian Pulisic are the leading scorers as the USA moves up 21 points in 11 games, losing 2-0 to Canada last year as they race to qualify for Qatar 2022 after missing four years ago.
The win was crucial for the second-placed USA to move away from the race, while third-placed Mexico will host fourth-placed Panama later on Wednesday.
Temperatures dropped to 18 degrees in the first half and players from both sides were allowed to wear balaclava tops and hand warmers.
Juventus midfielder McKennie opened the scoring with an eight-minute header near Kellyn Acosta’s free-kick before Nashville defender Zimmerman rallied for a second home in the 37th minute from a set point.
McKennie and Timothy Weah almost scored for the third time in the 50th minute but were interrupted by replacement Honduras goalkeeper Edrick Menjivar.
Chelsea star Pulisic was introduced in the 64th minute and scored three minutes later, throwing the loose ball into a corner after Zimmerman’s strike. Pulisic was also denied an offside goal.
