ST. PAUL, Minn. — In the wicked cold of a Minnesota winter, with players wearing thermal head coverings and hot apple cider and blankets abundant on the sideline, the U.S. men’s national soccer team busted out of an icy scoring rut Wednesday and raised its World Cup prospects.
The number of first-half goals (two) was one short of the temperature at kickoff (3 degrees), and by the end of the 3-0 victory over Honduras, the absurdity of the U.S. Soccer Federation choosing to play in a frigid location was eclipsed by the gravity of securing three points.
With three matches left, the Americans (6-2-3) are probably one triumph from clinching one of Concacaf’s three passes to the World Cup in Qatar late this year.