Honduras players forced off with hypothermia during World Cup qualifier against USA

Callum Boyle

Temperatures were as cold as minus 19 degrees

Honduras have slammed the USA for their decision to play their World Cup qualifier in Minnesota – where temperatures were as cold as -19 degrees.

Temperatures were so cold that two players from the Honduras side had to be substituted at half-time due to suffering from hypothermia whilst others required IV drips to help them recover after the game.

The USA were 3-0 winners on Wednesday night but faced criticism from their opponents over their choice of venue. The US chose the Allianz Field in Minnesota – a stadium opened just three years ago – despite the area facing sub-zero temperatures in the winter.

In the build-up to kick-off, Honduras boss Hernan Dario Gomez said: “It’s inconceivable that a power in every sense would bring you here to play a game and get a result.

“The game hasn’t started, but I can’t wait for it to end. Because it’s not for enjoying, it’s for suffering.”

Meanwhile, as per the Daily Mail, Gomez revealed that many of his players had to be treated after the game and that football shouldn’t be played in that way.

“Soccer shouldn’t be endured this way. I’ve got all my players getting treatment, some players getting an IV.”

However US head coach Gregg Berhalter defended the decision to play the game, citing that his own players experience difficulties when playing in warmer climates.

“When we go down to those countries and it’s 90 degrees and 90 per cent dew point and it’s unbearable humidity and guys are getting dehydrated and cramping up and getting heat exhaustion, that’s the nature of our competition,” he said.

“When we schedule this game in this location, you have to go by average temperatures, daily average temperatures, and it was the best guess.

“We want to minimise travel. We knew we’re gonna be playing in cold weather in two of the games and we figured to do it in the third game as well, instead of switching climates.

“The cold spell came through and it’s something we can’t control but all we can do once that happens is try to mitigate the risk by having warm weather gear and going out there and competing and we did that.”

In order to demonstrate just how cold it was on the pitch, TV presenters showed a wet t-shirt which had become frozen as a result of the weather whilst players were allowed to wear protective clothing during the game.