The USMNT hosts Honduras in a World Cup qualifier tonight at Allianz Field in St. Paul, and it will "set a U.S. record for the coldest home start" with a forecast including a high of 8 degrees, a kickoff temperature around 5 and a wind chill factor "well below zero." U.S. Soccer's cold weather guidelines "call for a cancellation or a switch to an indoor venue when the wind chill is below zero, but the team said there are no plans to postpone the match" (AP, 2/2).
With a win over Honduras in their 11th of 14 qualifiers, the second-place U.S. can "be in a position to clinch one of three regional spots for the World Cup with a win over Panama in Florida in March." A draw or a loss tonight puts the U.S. in "danger of missing out on the World Cup for the second time in a row" (St. Paul PIONEER PRESS, 2/2).
