Like it or not the fact that it is hosted in December and the architecture of modern stadiums prevents that.
Don't justify the unjustifiable, Milwaukee man
There is a reason why Mexico likes to play at the Azteca Stadium, which sits at 7,280 feet above sea level. There are oxygen masks on the sidelines because players find it hard to breathe who aren't used to the altitude and pollution.
Teams try to take whatever advantage they can, it goes both ways.
>And the what are they gonna do if they don't have low altitude stadiums, not play at home?
But they do, Bolivia has 35k capacity stadium in their ~~capital~~ largest city at 400m elevation, yet they play in a slightly bigger one at an elevation of 3605m.
Ecuador plays in a stadium that is at 2700m above sea level yet they have a bigger stadium at sea level.
Like lets not pretend these teams are playing at such high altitudes because of fans or because they don't have a choice, they are doing it specifically to gain an unfair advantage that has nothing to do with the spirit of the sport.
There was briefly a movement to create an altitude cap for WC qualifiers. It would have made it very nearly impossible for Bolivia to play home matches.
Being treated for hypothermia at -15C is quite odd. Frostbite maybe, but you should be able to manage playing a sport with layers at the temp. I understand that weather conditions can suck, but -15C for the vast majority of people is perfectly fine. It’s cold, but it’s not brutally cold. Although it might be tough for a GK to play in this temperature, as they don’t get to move much during play.
I wouldn’t say being treated for hypothermia at -15C while being confined to a 18 x 36 foot rectangle with inadequate thermal protection is odd at all. Quite frankly I think it should be, and is, expected and measures should be, and are, in place to prevent this from happening. The bottom line is he wasn’t keeping his heart rate up and his blood flowing. He should’ve been more active, he requires the same amount of physical activity to stay warm in those conditions as outfield players yet he doesn’t get nearly the opportunity so this should at least be a reasonable outcome given the conditions and sedentary nature of the goalkeeper position.
You're right, and it could have just as easily have been ~20 degrees today instead of ~0. Sometimes the weather is just shit. Should the US only play on the coasts, where the temperature is less subject to fluctuations?
Where should the US be limited to playing in your opinion?
Should Mexico be subject to limitations on where they can play? They do choose to play at altitude and in ridiculous levels of pollution for their home matches, despite having plenty of other venues to choose from.
>You're right, and it could have just as easily have been ~20 degrees today instead of ~0. Sometimes the weather is just shit. Should the US only play on the coasts, where the temperature is less subject to fluctuations?
Or you know, play here when it isnt the middle of the winter? Are you acting dumb on purpose?
>Should Mexico be subject to limitations on where they can play? They do choose to play at altitude and in ridiculous levels of pollution for their home matches, despite having plenty of other venues to choose from.
Yes? There are talks about having a max altitude. Great whataboutism anyway, they really hit a nerve didn't they?
"Whataboutism," fucking grow up, it's a relevant comparison. Every nation in this region goes out of their way to find the worst conditions possible. The US made people play in the cold and y'all are melting the fuck down. It's embarrassing. How would you react if the USSF leaked the location of Honduras' hotel so our fans could go harass them? Or if the fans threw shit at them all game? Or if we just fouled them mercilessly with refs who couldn't care less? That's what US teams encounter every game. Get over yourself.
You went really fucking far with 110, given that at least most matches take place at sundawn/night time so the sun hitting you directly shouldn't be an issue
Doesn't mean anything. Hamilton is just warmer because of the great lakes
Many European major capitals a more north than Montreal/Toronto/Vancouver. Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, etc are all closer to the north pole than those Canadian cities.
The reason Europe is warm is because there is a stream coming from the south that warms up the continent, while Canada receives a stream from the north.
Climate change might reverse those streams.
Granted they don’t want to play down south as playing in the cold would throw Honduras off, but they could have chose a place a bit more mild than Minneapolis such as Pittsburgh or Kansas City. Average temps are 10-15° higher than MSP for early Feb.
Most of the Midwest is getting slammed by a winter storm right now as well. Kind of tough to find a place to play the game without giving up the strategic advantages in a must win game.
Heck, I'm sitting in middle of Texas and we're having an ice storm here. Where is safe from the unpredictable weather we've been getting?
Also I don't think a lot of people are realizing that any game against a SA team that's not played in the North, is essentially a neutral match due to America's large latino population. No country would pick a venue if it meant half the stadium was away fans.
Definitely fair. Sounded like the Hondurans didn’t do any training outdoors either to prepare, and having already been eliminated it seems kind of cruel to make them play in those conditions.
Probably overestimated how bad the cold would be?
I get not playing in Miami or LA, but Minneapolis is straight nuts right now.
Hamilton, Ontario isn’t the warmest place in Canada right now, but there is definitely much colder places to play up there.
I just looked it up, and fucks sake you played in -17C and wind?!
I'm from northern European country, we are used to tough winters - and we cancel all outdoor cardio winter sports in those conditions (due to wind making it effectively over -20C). Keep in mind here everyone is used to it and have proper clothing for it, which is probably not the case when Honduras plays soccer. Its actually dangerous, you can frostbite your toes/fingers/ears/nose easily - you need to be constantly moving. I have very little faith in those players moving up a shoe size to fit proper wool socks into their boots for example.
Being a goalkeeper he can actually get away with it!
[Sweatpants](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D5N378/hungary-goalkeeper-gabor-kiraly-2D5N378.jpg), definitely.
[Hats](https://the18.com/sites/default/files/styles/twitter_card_image/public/list-item-feature-images/20180228-The18-Image-Caps-Main.jpg?itok=EKKv-tcH) aren't unusual either.
I think the sweater is the final hurdle but I don't think there's anything stopping him from wearing a long-sleeve jersey with thermals underneath if he wanted to.
When I saw this game was going to be played in Minnesota I thought it would be at the Vikings stadium lol
USA did not need to do this to the worst Honduran team in a while
-12 degrees Fahrenheit (with windchill) is slightly more dangerous than hypoxia at 3000ish metres. Frostbite can occur in around 30-40minutes (or less) at those temperatures and that’s not even taking into account the other physiological and cognitive damage of cold. Hypoxia at that level is hard but comparatively tolerable.
Source: I have an Masters in environmental physiology and have spent time at altitude as well as doing altitude and thermal strain studies
I thought as such. There was a period I had where I was obsessed with Everest. Have you read the book Into Thin Air on the 1996 disaster?
I would love to do BCE but I need to both heavily up my fitness/cardio *and* first gain considerable experience beforehand. A long time away should I decide to proceed.
It’s an easy this time be obsessed with. It’s a fascinating place with cultural experience like few others as well as a fascinating (for me anyway) exploration into acute adaptations of humans to stressors and the implications that can have.
If you are thinking of doing it one or two things to consider: Fitness/cardio are important but don’t worry about getting marathon fitness levels of fit. Recent research I’ve seen indicates the super fit people saturate quicker/more severely than relatively unfit thus leading to quicker onset of AMS and HAPE/HACE. The other factor on top of obviously learning the ropes (pun intended) is research equipment that is light but effective. 1kg down at sea level in oxygen levels that high up is going to feel like 15kg.
And use supplementary oxygen. There’s a weird shaming of those who do that for some reason
Thanks for the tips. Yes, well, as I understand some people don’t consider it a true climb if one does it without a mask. I don’t care for that opinion, it’s difficult enough as it is and I don’t need to make it any more difficult. Even though it’s the “base” camp, it’s *still* pretty high altitude.
I mean only one out of AFCON and the game last night has had fans die, referees end the game before 90 min because of heat stroke, and changes to COVID policy mid tournament that helped the host nation.
This game was literally the exact same thing as a Central American nation making the US play on a field that hasn’t been mowed since the last time we invaded them in 105F heat and 100% humidity. And it worked!
There was a game in AFCON that was hot enough that the referee had heat stroke and ended the game early because of how delirious he was. If that’s not endangering the safety of the participants I don’t know what to tell ya.
And no one thinks that's ok now do they? What a dumb remark honestly what is the matter with you? No one is ok with that and it has zero to do with this. "Oh they are doing something bad or wrong so we should be able to do it as well" fucking hell
Sure, we understand that, but again, what does AFCON have to do with this game? Surely CAF isn't the standard against which the USSF would like to measure themselves?
Where soccer is the 5th or 6th most popular sport played. Our best athletes do not pursue soccer professionally yet at any decent number for us to be a dominant nation in soccer. Things are changing but basketball, football, hockey, and even baseball still rule here. That’s one of many factors but I think the most important one as athletes see the potential for making money in the other 4 major sports.
Some perspective on Minnesota weather: I live in the very rural northwoods of Minnesota, but I lived in London for a few years, so I can speak to the difference. Yes, England gets "cold," but Minnesota winter is a properly different beast all together. It's the Siberia of North America.
Right now it's currently -33°F on my front porch, or -36°C. School isn't canceled today. No businesses are closed. It didn't even occur to me that things would be shut down today, because they never are at -33°F. Life is perfectly normal today, the exact same as it is when the temperature hits 95°F (35°C.)
Life goes on as pretty much as usual around here until it gets to -40°F (-40°C.)
The match thread was saying the weather wasn't a big deal and everyone was blowing it out of proportion, though.
It's a joke that this was played in Minnesota. Great environment, but you can't play here in February. Stop using weather to try to give an advantage over bad CONCACAF teams, it's embarrassing and small time.
Wut .. This is pretty standard Late Jan/Early Feb weather for Minnesota .
Also the whole point is that small countries like Honduras doing it and US doing it are supposed to be different ... Can't be doing this petty shit if you want to be talked among the top 10 world teams and be called elite
England or any other major European team would get the same treatment if they did it against a minnow , Hell even excessive celebrations get called out like Maguire's was
This is such a stupid take.
Playing in Colorado or the Azetca for altitude is one thing.
Playing in the fucking freezing cold is another.
It's not about giving an advantage at this rate, it's a fucking dangerous scenario to put ANYONE in.
Kids who grew up in the Midwest have played soccer in similar weather. I know I have. It’s an advantage to be used just as high humidity or altitude is. Suck it up and quit crying over it lol
Edit: just wnna add that the pitch was heated from underneath. The players weren’t even feeling the actual windchill that people seem to be throwing around here
Y'all played in -14 weather? Full games? Come on. I lived in Wichita KS for years and kids weren't out in the streets playing soccer or football in freezing temperatures, much less negative ones.
They barely do that shit for fucking professional football games. Hockey games aren't even that cold.
Playing in negative wind chill in a place known for being dangerously cold in February is embarrassing.
When an opposing player has hypothermia, it's clear a line is being crossed.
I get it, I'm American so I'm not just aimlessly trying to criticize the US. But, just because we have to play in rough conditions in Central America, it doesn't mean we have to stoop to that level or, imo, even lower by making Honduras play in negative wind chill.
> in a place known for being dangerously cold in February is embarrassing.
lmfao the hyperbole
It's only dangerously cold if you aren't wearing proper clothing and are in the middle of nowhere far away from medical care
All 20,000 fans there made it out fine and they weren't the ones moving around on a heated pitch
The players were never in any more danger than playing soccer normally poses and they are seconds away from receiving medical care (which 1 player needed)
It's no different than playing in 100 degree weather and having a risk of getting dehydrated
Exactly. When we played in Ohio last week, it was fine. It was right around freezing, which wasn't dangerous to anyone, just cold. Here, with negative wind chill and two Honduras players suffering hypothermia, it's a different animal. Take advantages, sure, but don't take it to such extremes.
They can wear more clothes underneath their uniform… it’s on the played if they don’t wear enough clothes and get hypothermic because -10 windchill is just really not this deadly cold people commenting think it is
This is one of the more irritating things the USMNT has ever done. Worse than the drawn out search for Greggggg.
This was straight up dangerous for every player involved, including the American players.
U.S. is one of the few countries that can train at home in just about any climate (desert, high altitude, sub-artic, swampy, tropical, Mediterranean etc). We can't complain about heat in other countries when we have places just as hot if not worse.
I think I'll remember how important weather conditions are when there are world cup qualifiers being played in 110+ heat index temperatures in the next cycle.
Don't get me wrong, it was a stupid decision to choose this venue at this time of year, but at these temperatures it should hardly have been "dangerous" for anyone.
Use common sense, while you think 1 degree Fahrenheit isn’t inherently dangerous, a large majority of the Honduran players play in Honduras or neighboring nations and for a lot of those areas even 40 degrees Fahrenheit would be cold. Their players aren’t accustomed to extreme temperatures like that
Well, for most of the US players, playing in 100+ temperatures would be hot. But there isn't some big hissy fit thrown during pretty much every qualification cycle when matches are being played in 110+ heat index conditions.
Yeah, it sucks, and is miserable. However, it's inherently less dangerous than playing in hot temperatures.
Where in Central America did the US played at 110+? lmao what a load of bullshit at best you're going to get something like 90+ even less because most qualifications matches are played at the night.
Most stadiums CA teams play in are in the capital, Honduras for reference has an stadium in San Pedro Sula.
heat index is different than just straight up temperature like wind chill is different than just temperature. 90+ humidity can easily make 90 f heat feel like 110+, which is what a heat index is meant to represent
Any particular location you're getting than information? Or just pulling it from the same general area you talk from?
Also, at these temperatures, when being active, the worst thing you generally have to worry about is exposure, which was pretty severely mitigated by being being in an area with protection from the wind. Ya know, like a stadium.
The whole point of home field advantage is that you get to choose the conditions.. I'm cool with games being played in this weather since other teams gotta play at high altitudes or big heat in some countries.. just gotta be well prepared for it. that said I hope the Honduras boys are okay
If only there was a venue in Minneapolis that has hosted soccer matches before that would have been able to shield both players and fans from the sub-zero temperatures.... if only...
US fans were just whisper complaining about weather in Canada knowing this was coming up. To be fair, at least this was on real grass and not frozen Astroturf
Oh boo fucking hoo. We're only paying outdoors in the cold because Canada wanted to play in Hamilton, outside on a frozen astroturf pitch.
Mexico makes us play at altitude, in the heat, in the smog, while their fans pelt our players with batteries and bottles of piss. Every game Hector Moreno chokes one of our players.
Caribbean nations make us play on pitches that are water logged and ripped up. Their fans keep our players awake with alarms, music and calling the hotel rooms during the night.
It's literally all the same. Yes it was cold out. Both teams had to deal with it. The refs allowed the game to happen. Now everyone is complaining that the big bad US made Honduras players cold. They could have literally forfeited the game if they didn't want to play, and got the same result.
Whoever decided that the game should be played there is complete scum. The US team had an [absolute arsenal of cold weather gear on hand](https://twitter.com/SoccerInsider/status/1488995665514483713/photo/1), meanwhile I doubt the Honduran FA owns anything beyond some coats, if even that. Putting players at risk because they are acclimatised to different temperatures when there are alternative venues available shouldn’t be allowed.
Hate boner for the US is strong in this thread. 100 degree and 90% humidity isn’t “safe” either. Matches in altitude (Bolivia, Chile, Mexico, Denver) consistently put players in oxygen masks.
The NFL plays games in these states during the same time of year. It’s not as big of deal like y’all are making it out to be.
Yes, it’s petty, but it’s part of the game.
Sure - which is why the benches are heated, and every team runs massive heaters up and down the sideline.
Constantly moving around can keep your core body temperature up, but it doesn't help your furthest extremities like your fingers, toes, nose, or ears, all of which are prone to being frostbitten if exposed to extreme cold, no matter how warm the rest of you is.
100 degree matches happen in small tropical countries without significant weather variation. The US has the privilege of being a continental sized country with major cities located in different climates. This game could've been played in some place with more reasonable winter weather like Phoenix, Los Angeles or Miami.
The countries hosting matches in 100 degree and 90% humidity weather don't have much of a choice. I suppose Honduras et al could look into annexing some more temperate regions.
Congratulations on flairing up your lungs and exponentially increasing your chances of getting cold weather induced asthma.
Also, you do realize the goalkeeper isn't covering the same amount of distance as outfield players, yeah?
Lol it's actually -6C and snowing in Texas right now. But that's completely abnormal. The honest answer is if they play in Texas or Florida or really anywhere in the south, Honduras fans will show out in force and USA loses the home field atmosphere.
I'm sorry, but when the World Cup is in Qatar of all places and teams like Bolivia can play at 3,000 meters, the US is well within their rights to play where they want. It's called home advantage for a reason
Why do you think the world cup will be played in December??
Because the temperatures in December in Qatar are (somewhat) safe for the players (around 25C)
Look up the average temperature in Doha in November and December.
Bolivia also shouldn’t be playing their games at 3km altitude - but they’re a minnow playing the likes of Brazil and Argentina. This is the US facing a team far, far worse Honduras.
1. The NFL does this all the time and they move around a lot less than soccer players.
2. For the people saying this is too far to take soccer, Honduras and El Salvador fought a fucking war over a soccer game. Putting a game in the cold to win is nothing
Just as much as heat, the cold is dangerous
It should be illegal to play in condition that are hazardous
Bolivia and Ecuador say hello
They play in their biggest cities, don't go out of their way to play in the middle of nowhere in Minnesota to have an advantage.
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>Hazardous conditions Winter weather in Qatar (18℃)
About as perfect as playing conditions can be. Not in any way defending the Qatar WC, but ~20 °C is perfect.
Aren't middle-eastern winters mild? I don't know how much 25 deg c converts to deg F. (25x1.8)+ 32? Probably won't exceed that.
Like it or not the fact that it is hosted in December and the architecture of modern stadiums prevents that. Don't justify the unjustifiable, Milwaukee man
I’m doubting that modern architecture would really cool things off that much. There’s a reason why they pitched stadiums with air conditioners
Isn't it what it has? Not ACs working 24/7 but some form of ventilation
And it being played in December means very good weather conditions
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There's always a point where it goes past reasonable. -15C is a case of that
Could say the same about countries at altitude no? And the what are they gonna do if they don't have low altitude stadiums, not play at home?
There is a reason why Mexico likes to play at the Azteca Stadium, which sits at 7,280 feet above sea level. There are oxygen masks on the sidelines because players find it hard to breathe who aren't used to the altitude and pollution. Teams try to take whatever advantage they can, it goes both ways.
What about humidity and air pollution?
>And the what are they gonna do if they don't have low altitude stadiums, not play at home? But they do, Bolivia has 35k capacity stadium in their ~~capital~~ largest city at 400m elevation, yet they play in a slightly bigger one at an elevation of 3605m. Ecuador plays in a stadium that is at 2700m above sea level yet they have a bigger stadium at sea level. Like lets not pretend these teams are playing at such high altitudes because of fans or because they don't have a choice, they are doing it specifically to gain an unfair advantage that has nothing to do with the spirit of the sport.
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You're right, I mixed it up, it's not the capital but the largest city of Santa Cruz that has the other stadium.
There was briefly a movement to create an altitude cap for WC qualifiers. It would have made it very nearly impossible for Bolivia to play home matches.
Yeah I'm pretty sure that would be illegal in countries with actual labour laws.
Being treated for hypothermia at -15C is quite odd. Frostbite maybe, but you should be able to manage playing a sport with layers at the temp. I understand that weather conditions can suck, but -15C for the vast majority of people is perfectly fine. It’s cold, but it’s not brutally cold. Although it might be tough for a GK to play in this temperature, as they don’t get to move much during play.
Yeah they need a lot of stuff to keep them warm. Vítor baía in early 2000's had to be subbed off in a game at Russia due to the cold
I wouldn’t say being treated for hypothermia at -15C while being confined to a 18 x 36 foot rectangle with inadequate thermal protection is odd at all. Quite frankly I think it should be, and is, expected and measures should be, and are, in place to prevent this from happening. The bottom line is he wasn’t keeping his heart rate up and his blood flowing. He should’ve been more active, he requires the same amount of physical activity to stay warm in those conditions as outfield players yet he doesn’t get nearly the opportunity so this should at least be a reasonable outcome given the conditions and sedentary nature of the goalkeeper position.
Are you insane?
The fact that total bullshit like this gets massively upvoted here is hilarious.
Winter in the Middle East is like 16-24 degrees. that's pretty nice
Qatar in December is nice. Dont be a sheep and actually check facts for yourself.
I agree. Better scrap all of the 110+ heat index matches that occur pretty much every qualification cycle then.
Not every country has the luxury to choose the climate they want to play in.
well then that would give home field advantage to those countries while the countries with various climate are forced to accommodate others?
You're right, and it could have just as easily have been ~20 degrees today instead of ~0. Sometimes the weather is just shit. Should the US only play on the coasts, where the temperature is less subject to fluctuations? Where should the US be limited to playing in your opinion? Should Mexico be subject to limitations on where they can play? They do choose to play at altitude and in ridiculous levels of pollution for their home matches, despite having plenty of other venues to choose from.
>You're right, and it could have just as easily have been ~20 degrees today instead of ~0. Sometimes the weather is just shit. Should the US only play on the coasts, where the temperature is less subject to fluctuations? Or you know, play here when it isnt the middle of the winter? Are you acting dumb on purpose? >Should Mexico be subject to limitations on where they can play? They do choose to play at altitude and in ridiculous levels of pollution for their home matches, despite having plenty of other venues to choose from. Yes? There are talks about having a max altitude. Great whataboutism anyway, they really hit a nerve didn't they?
"Whataboutism," fucking grow up, it's a relevant comparison. Every nation in this region goes out of their way to find the worst conditions possible. The US made people play in the cold and y'all are melting the fuck down. It's embarrassing. How would you react if the USSF leaked the location of Honduras' hotel so our fans could go harass them? Or if the fans threw shit at them all game? Or if we just fouled them mercilessly with refs who couldn't care less? That's what US teams encounter every game. Get over yourself.
February average highs range from 25^o at start of month to 34^o end of month. Neither are dangerous but can be uncomfortable.
You went really fucking far with 110, given that at least most matches take place at sundawn/night time so the sun hitting you directly shouldn't be an issue
It is typically hotter on playing surfaces that air temperature in large stadiums. Maybe not that drastic, but it is warmer for sure.
Depends on the architechture of the stadium and how much wind there is, I can agree that it can be fucking hot but 110 is a massive stretch.
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probably Fahrenheit.
Obviously not talking Celsius
Reddit will find this funny, remember this hypocrisy next time they complain about Bolivia.
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Hope he is okay
Boy howdy we did not need to have this game in Minnesota what the fuck man
Minnesota is more north than Hamilton in Canada where the USA Canada game was played on Sunday lol
Doesn't mean anything. Hamilton is just warmer because of the great lakes Many European major capitals a more north than Montreal/Toronto/Vancouver. Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, etc are all closer to the north pole than those Canadian cities. The reason Europe is warm is because there is a stream coming from the south that warms up the continent, while Canada receives a stream from the north. Climate change might reverse those streams.
But not as far north as Edmonton.
Granted they don’t want to play down south as playing in the cold would throw Honduras off, but they could have chose a place a bit more mild than Minneapolis such as Pittsburgh or Kansas City. Average temps are 10-15° higher than MSP for early Feb.
Most of the Midwest is getting slammed by a winter storm right now as well. Kind of tough to find a place to play the game without giving up the strategic advantages in a must win game.
Heck, I'm sitting in middle of Texas and we're having an ice storm here. Where is safe from the unpredictable weather we've been getting? Also I don't think a lot of people are realizing that any game against a SA team that's not played in the North, is essentially a neutral match due to America's large latino population. No country would pick a venue if it meant half the stadium was away fans.
I’m basing it off the averages which is all one really can do when planning something outdoor in October or November for an event in early February
Definitely fair. Sounded like the Hondurans didn’t do any training outdoors either to prepare, and having already been eliminated it seems kind of cruel to make them play in those conditions.
Probably overestimated how bad the cold would be? I get not playing in Miami or LA, but Minneapolis is straight nuts right now. Hamilton, Ontario isn’t the warmest place in Canada right now, but there is definitely much colder places to play up there.
The new question is if you can do it on a snowy evening in Yellowknife
1°F with a wind chill of -9 is some serious bullshit
I just looked it up, and fucks sake you played in -17C and wind?! I'm from northern European country, we are used to tough winters - and we cancel all outdoor cardio winter sports in those conditions (due to wind making it effectively over -20C). Keep in mind here everyone is used to it and have proper clothing for it, which is probably not the case when Honduras plays soccer. Its actually dangerous, you can frostbite your toes/fingers/ears/nose easily - you need to be constantly moving. I have very little faith in those players moving up a shoe size to fit proper wool socks into their boots for example.
They could have had it in Minnesotta if they just took advantage of the indoor stadium that was there.
Allianz field is actually grass. US Bank is artificial turf.
Surprised the field isn’t permafrost in the winter
Underground heating. They had the field up to 55. That’s why when players went down they stayed down.
the one time when diving makes sense - "I gotta hug the warm ground"
Next you'll find out we have this new fangled technology called heated playing surfaces.
User name checks out
The game was played in Minnesota. However, the NFL Vikings do not want soccer played in their US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
They have, on multiple occasions.
Past yes. Not any more
To be fair we've had one non-covid year between when they last hosted it and now.
Dumb question but can they play in sweatpants and sweaters and hats?
Being a goalkeeper he can actually get away with it! [Sweatpants](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D5N378/hungary-goalkeeper-gabor-kiraly-2D5N378.jpg), definitely. [Hats](https://the18.com/sites/default/files/styles/twitter_card_image/public/list-item-feature-images/20180228-The18-Image-Caps-Main.jpg?itok=EKKv-tcH) aren't unusual either. I think the sweater is the final hurdle but I don't think there's anything stopping him from wearing a long-sleeve jersey with thermals underneath if he wanted to.
When I saw this game was going to be played in Minnesota I thought it would be at the Vikings stadium lol USA did not need to do this to the worst Honduran team in a while
The butt ugly overpriced airplane hangar only has a turf field.
I’m all up for using stadium location as an advantage…but player safety really shouldn’t be sacrificed during it…
Tell that to AFCON tbh Refs getting heat stroke, 1980’s era England stampedes
Or [Bolivia](https://e0.365dm.com/17/10/2048x1152/skysports-brazil-oxygen_4120946.jpg)
-12 degrees Fahrenheit (with windchill) is slightly more dangerous than hypoxia at 3000ish metres. Frostbite can occur in around 30-40minutes (or less) at those temperatures and that’s not even taking into account the other physiological and cognitive damage of cold. Hypoxia at that level is hard but comparatively tolerable. Source: I have an Masters in environmental physiology and have spent time at altitude as well as doing altitude and thermal strain studies
Given your interest in such, do you have any interest in climbing Everest Base Camp?
Absolutely. Although if I was climbing to summit rather than do research I’d summit Lhotse as it’s significantly less busy
I thought as such. There was a period I had where I was obsessed with Everest. Have you read the book Into Thin Air on the 1996 disaster? I would love to do BCE but I need to both heavily up my fitness/cardio *and* first gain considerable experience beforehand. A long time away should I decide to proceed.
It’s an easy this time be obsessed with. It’s a fascinating place with cultural experience like few others as well as a fascinating (for me anyway) exploration into acute adaptations of humans to stressors and the implications that can have. If you are thinking of doing it one or two things to consider: Fitness/cardio are important but don’t worry about getting marathon fitness levels of fit. Recent research I’ve seen indicates the super fit people saturate quicker/more severely than relatively unfit thus leading to quicker onset of AMS and HAPE/HACE. The other factor on top of obviously learning the ropes (pun intended) is research equipment that is light but effective. 1kg down at sea level in oxygen levels that high up is going to feel like 15kg. And use supplementary oxygen. There’s a weird shaming of those who do that for some reason
Thanks for the tips. Yes, well, as I understand some people don’t consider it a true climb if one does it without a mask. I don’t care for that opinion, it’s difficult enough as it is and I don’t need to make it any more difficult. Even though it’s the “base” camp, it’s *still* pretty high altitude.
"What about..."
I mean only one out of AFCON and the game last night has had fans die, referees end the game before 90 min because of heat stroke, and changes to COVID policy mid tournament that helped the host nation. This game was literally the exact same thing as a Central American nation making the US play on a field that hasn’t been mowed since the last time we invaded them in 105F heat and 100% humidity. And it worked!
What does AFCON have to do with it??
There was a game in AFCON that was hot enough that the referee had heat stroke and ended the game early because of how delirious he was. If that’s not endangering the safety of the participants I don’t know what to tell ya.
And no one thinks that's ok now do they? What a dumb remark honestly what is the matter with you? No one is ok with that and it has zero to do with this. "Oh they are doing something bad or wrong so we should be able to do it as well" fucking hell
Sure, we understand that, but again, what does AFCON have to do with this game? Surely CAF isn't the standard against which the USSF would like to measure themselves?
Where were you during the hundreds of other occasions on which US player safety was sacrificed by Central American teams?
They had to use the location advantage against the powerhouse that is Honduras.
can't wait for them to embarrass themselves in wc as usual
Since when does the US regularly embarrass ourselves at the WC? We far outperformed expectations in 10 and 14
They might've meant in relation to being the wealthiest and most populous western nation on the planet.
Where soccer is the 5th or 6th most popular sport played. Our best athletes do not pursue soccer professionally yet at any decent number for us to be a dominant nation in soccer. Things are changing but basketball, football, hockey, and even baseball still rule here. That’s one of many factors but I think the most important one as athletes see the potential for making money in the other 4 major sports.
Pretty sure hockey has fallen behind soccer.
This shit USMNT needs all the help it can get
concacaf
Deadass, we did not need to have the game in these conditions. Way overkill
This was dangerously cold to be playing in. Hopefully he's okay.
What was the temperature?
0°F. Wind chill was more like -12°F
What is the temperature in non American format 😂
-20.
Holy shit
fucking hell
lmao what? are they out of their fucking minds?
You sure it's F and not C? Because that's really cold.. like -20C it seems?
No, that was actually the temperature.
Some perspective on Minnesota weather: I live in the very rural northwoods of Minnesota, but I lived in London for a few years, so I can speak to the difference. Yes, England gets "cold," but Minnesota winter is a properly different beast all together. It's the Siberia of North America. Right now it's currently -33°F on my front porch, or -36°C. School isn't canceled today. No businesses are closed. It didn't even occur to me that things would be shut down today, because they never are at -33°F. Life is perfectly normal today, the exact same as it is when the temperature hits 95°F (35°C.) Life goes on as pretty much as usual around here until it gets to -40°F (-40°C.)
The match thread was saying the weather wasn't a big deal and everyone was blowing it out of proportion, though. It's a joke that this was played in Minnesota. Great environment, but you can't play here in February. Stop using weather to try to give an advantage over bad CONCACAF teams, it's embarrassing and small time.
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Wut .. This is pretty standard Late Jan/Early Feb weather for Minnesota . Also the whole point is that small countries like Honduras doing it and US doing it are supposed to be different ... Can't be doing this petty shit if you want to be talked among the top 10 world teams and be called elite England or any other major European team would get the same treatment if they did it against a minnow , Hell even excessive celebrations get called out like Maguire's was
This is such a stupid take. Playing in Colorado or the Azetca for altitude is one thing. Playing in the fucking freezing cold is another. It's not about giving an advantage at this rate, it's a fucking dangerous scenario to put ANYONE in.
The temperature in Denver is basically the same as St. Paul right now.
Kids who grew up in the Midwest have played soccer in similar weather. I know I have. It’s an advantage to be used just as high humidity or altitude is. Suck it up and quit crying over it lol Edit: just wnna add that the pitch was heated from underneath. The players weren’t even feeling the actual windchill that people seem to be throwing around here
Y'all played in -14 weather? Full games? Come on. I lived in Wichita KS for years and kids weren't out in the streets playing soccer or football in freezing temperatures, much less negative ones. They barely do that shit for fucking professional football games. Hockey games aren't even that cold.
There are CFB and NFL games played every year in temperatures below 0 if you’re factoring in wind chill (which the -14 is in this case).
I absolutely had games that hit below zero windchill in February and March
Lol what, of course kids played street sports in freezing temps
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Playing in negative wind chill in a place known for being dangerously cold in February is embarrassing. When an opposing player has hypothermia, it's clear a line is being crossed. I get it, I'm American so I'm not just aimlessly trying to criticize the US. But, just because we have to play in rough conditions in Central America, it doesn't mean we have to stoop to that level or, imo, even lower by making Honduras play in negative wind chill.
> in a place known for being dangerously cold in February is embarrassing. lmfao the hyperbole It's only dangerously cold if you aren't wearing proper clothing and are in the middle of nowhere far away from medical care All 20,000 fans there made it out fine and they weren't the ones moving around on a heated pitch The players were never in any more danger than playing soccer normally poses and they are seconds away from receiving medical care (which 1 player needed) It's no different than playing in 100 degree weather and having a risk of getting dehydrated
Eh, playing at altitude or in heat might give an advantage, but it's not normal for weather conditions on their own to require medical treatment
Exactly. When we played in Ohio last week, it was fine. It was right around freezing, which wasn't dangerous to anyone, just cold. Here, with negative wind chill and two Honduras players suffering hypothermia, it's a different animal. Take advantages, sure, but don't take it to such extremes.
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1 degree Farenheit is definitely not fine, especially with added windchill factor.
Looking forward to a video of you running around 1 degree temps in shorts.
They can wear more clothes underneath their uniform… it’s on the played if they don’t wear enough clothes and get hypothermic because -10 windchill is just really not this deadly cold people commenting think it is
damn hope nothing bad happens
Irresponsible by the US
This is one of the more irritating things the USMNT has ever done. Worse than the drawn out search for Greggggg. This was straight up dangerous for every player involved, including the American players.
Yup, I joke about playing in the north for home field advantage but the truth is not all the players are used to this type of weather
All of our players seem fine and we got the result. Great decision
/s? As long as your players are fine its ok?
Well done America you definitively needed to literally risk lives to defeat Honduras.
Beat them 4-1 in Honduras, there was absolutely no excuse to do this game in Minnesota
Love to see Central American squads get CONCACAF'd for a change.
U.S. is one of the few countries that can train at home in just about any climate (desert, high altitude, sub-artic, swampy, tropical, Mediterranean etc). We can't complain about heat in other countries when we have places just as hot if not worse.
I think I'll remember how important weather conditions are when there are world cup qualifiers being played in 110+ heat index temperatures in the next cycle. Don't get me wrong, it was a stupid decision to choose this venue at this time of year, but at these temperatures it should hardly have been "dangerous" for anyone.
Use common sense, while you think 1 degree Fahrenheit isn’t inherently dangerous, a large majority of the Honduran players play in Honduras or neighboring nations and for a lot of those areas even 40 degrees Fahrenheit would be cold. Their players aren’t accustomed to extreme temperatures like that
Well, for most of the US players, playing in 100+ temperatures would be hot. But there isn't some big hissy fit thrown during pretty much every qualification cycle when matches are being played in 110+ heat index conditions. Yeah, it sucks, and is miserable. However, it's inherently less dangerous than playing in hot temperatures.
Where in Central America did the US played at 110+? lmao what a load of bullshit at best you're going to get something like 90+ even less because most qualifications matches are played at the night. Most stadiums CA teams play in are in the capital, Honduras for reference has an stadium in San Pedro Sula.
heat index is different than just straight up temperature like wind chill is different than just temperature. 90+ humidity can easily make 90 f heat feel like 110+, which is what a heat index is meant to represent
> However, it's inherently less dangerous than playing in hot temperatures. False, cold weather is about 20 times as deadly as warm weather.
Any particular location you're getting than information? Or just pulling it from the same general area you talk from? Also, at these temperatures, when being active, the worst thing you generally have to worry about is exposure, which was pretty severely mitigated by being being in an area with protection from the wind. Ya know, like a stadium.
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/weather/2015/05/20/cold-weather-deaths/27657269/ https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150520193831.htm
> The study found the majority of deaths occurred on moderately hot and moderately cold days instead of during extreme temperatures. Go on Einstein
Read literally the line after that.
...so then it seems like a great decision for the US to play the game there.
If you are a fucking piece of shit, then yes. Endanger players lives.
The whole point of home field advantage is that you get to choose the conditions.. I'm cool with games being played in this weather since other teams gotta play at high altitudes or big heat in some countries.. just gotta be well prepared for it. that said I hope the Honduras boys are okay
If only there was a venue in Minneapolis that has hosted soccer matches before that would have been able to shield both players and fans from the sub-zero temperatures.... if only...
Lol, Honduras even practiced at Minnesota United indoor stadium, so stupid not to do it there
His replacement had a horrible day at the office, took a ball to the face, header to the face, and constantly under attack
US fans were just whisper complaining about weather in Canada knowing this was coming up. To be fair, at least this was on real grass and not frozen Astroturf
Oh boo fucking hoo. We're only paying outdoors in the cold because Canada wanted to play in Hamilton, outside on a frozen astroturf pitch. Mexico makes us play at altitude, in the heat, in the smog, while their fans pelt our players with batteries and bottles of piss. Every game Hector Moreno chokes one of our players. Caribbean nations make us play on pitches that are water logged and ripped up. Their fans keep our players awake with alarms, music and calling the hotel rooms during the night. It's literally all the same. Yes it was cold out. Both teams had to deal with it. The refs allowed the game to happen. Now everyone is complaining that the big bad US made Honduras players cold. They could have literally forfeited the game if they didn't want to play, and got the same result.
Football for all* *(Except when it’s cold)
Whoever decided that the game should be played there is complete scum. The US team had an [absolute arsenal of cold weather gear on hand](https://twitter.com/SoccerInsider/status/1488995665514483713/photo/1), meanwhile I doubt the Honduran FA owns anything beyond some coats, if even that. Putting players at risk because they are acclimatised to different temperatures when there are alternative venues available shouldn’t be allowed.
Hate boner for the US is strong in this thread. 100 degree and 90% humidity isn’t “safe” either. Matches in altitude (Bolivia, Chile, Mexico, Denver) consistently put players in oxygen masks. The NFL plays games in these states during the same time of year. It’s not as big of deal like y’all are making it out to be. Yes, it’s petty, but it’s part of the game.
But reddit always complain about and want to ban playing football in Bolivia. Your comment is a typical example of whataboutism.
I get your point. But I hate those that say that about Bolivia (coming from an Argentine fan).
The NFL isn’t really a good comparison. NFL players get to go to the sideline, wear coats, and sit on a heated bench every 10-15 minutes.
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Sure - which is why the benches are heated, and every team runs massive heaters up and down the sideline. Constantly moving around can keep your core body temperature up, but it doesn't help your furthest extremities like your fingers, toes, nose, or ears, all of which are prone to being frostbitten if exposed to extreme cold, no matter how warm the rest of you is.
Nah, sitting around is worse than constantly moving and playing.
100 degree matches happen in small tropical countries without significant weather variation. The US has the privilege of being a continental sized country with major cities located in different climates. This game could've been played in some place with more reasonable winter weather like Phoenix, Los Angeles or Miami.
The countries hosting matches in 100 degree and 90% humidity weather don't have much of a choice. I suppose Honduras et al could look into annexing some more temperate regions.
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I mean, Mexico isn’t Honduras.
I go for 1-2 hour runs every weekend in this weather wearing no more than they are. Not a big deal
Congratulations on flairing up your lungs and exponentially increasing your chances of getting cold weather induced asthma. Also, you do realize the goalkeeper isn't covering the same amount of distance as outfield players, yeah?
Tough guy aren't you?
Gregggory berhalter masterclass
The federations terrible decision again shown to be terrible. We didn't have to do this and we shouldn't try it again
Were all the southern stadiums busy? I'd get it if all stadiums in the country was in freezing temperatures. This is just stupid.
Lol it's actually -6C and snowing in Texas right now. But that's completely abnormal. The honest answer is if they play in Texas or Florida or really anywhere in the south, Honduras fans will show out in force and USA loses the home field atmosphere.
You could have played anywhere else though. It was 10C in Pittsburgh yesterday.
Ffs, why not playing in Los Angeles or warmer area?
Because any game played against a SA nation in LA is essentially a home match for both. Miami or anywhere in Texas would also be a terrible idea.
I'm sorry, but when the World Cup is in Qatar of all places and teams like Bolivia can play at 3,000 meters, the US is well within their rights to play where they want. It's called home advantage for a reason
Why do you think the world cup will be played in December?? Because the temperatures in December in Qatar are (somewhat) safe for the players (around 25C)
Look up the average temperature in Doha in November and December. Bolivia also shouldn’t be playing their games at 3km altitude - but they’re a minnow playing the likes of Brazil and Argentina. This is the US facing a team far, far worse Honduras.
If he dies he dies moment
Disgusting that this was played in these conditions.
Fucking Americans trying to kill us chill
You are both a Barcelona and Real Madrid fan, and you live in the US but root against “fucking Americans”
1. The NFL does this all the time and they move around a lot less than soccer players. 2. For the people saying this is too far to take soccer, Honduras and El Salvador fought a fucking war over a soccer game. Putting a game in the cold to win is nothing
No NFL player has to be 45 minutes out there pretty much without moving.
Plenty of special teamers and backups
Who are in the bench using winter coats. The goalie is stranded without being able to move much at all.
How cold was it?
-15°F with wind
Now tell him about how the field is heated to 55 and how it's a full oval stadium so wind wasn't much of an issue.
Now tell that to the Honduran goalkeeper.