photo: Matt Mathai

Images of a Frozen Night for the USMNT

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Yanks Abroad once again had the pleasure of working with Santa Fe-based freelance photographer Matt Mathai, who was on-site capturing impressions of the USMNT’s 3-0 victory over Honduras in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Apart from the important victory that put the team back on the right track to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, this game was remarkable for its harsh weather conditions. Temperatures dropped into the single-digits at kickoff, creating a difficult situation for players, team staff, fans, officials and stadium employees.

…which is just a polite way of saying that everybody in the stadium was freezing their butts off.

Matt Mathai was one of the thousands who braved the elements, and captured a great collection of images of that frozen night. Matt has shot for DC United, Howler Magazine, The Shin Guardian and currently FullDesportesUSA.com, as well as many other freelance outlets. Yanks Abroad has already featured his work in two previous photo pieces covering last December’s friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the recent qualifier against El Salvador.

(all photos courtesy of Matt Mathai)

USMNT keeper Matt Turner takes inspiration from “The Great Cornholio” for his cold-weather attire.
The starting USMNT lineup is huddling for warmth in the single-digit weather, getting ready to play against Honduras at Allianz field in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Feb. 2, 2022.
Reggie Cannon looks for a passing outlet as Honduras defender Diego Rodríguez applies pressure.
Weston McKennie shows his vertical abilities to get his head on the ball for what will be the opening goal in the eighth minute. The crowd behind the goal is about to be rewarded for their efforts in braving the cold.
Weston McKennie celebrates his goal with teammates Kellyn Acosta, Walker Zimmerman, Luca de la Torre and Reggie Cannon.
Somewhere in the goal celebrations, Tim Weah became frozen to Weston McKennie, and the rest of their USMNT teammates cheer the two on as they try to break free from each other.
USMNT captain for the evening Walker Zimmerman shuts down Honduras forward Romell Quioto.
Tim Weah battles for possession against a Honduras player as Luca de la Torre looks on.
Antonee Robinson tries to steal the ball from Honduras forward Alberth Elis Jordan Morris peers from behind.
Walker Zimmerman pokes the ballpast Honduras keeper Luis López for the USMNT’s second goal in the 37th minute as Alberth Elis tries to get his teammates to do do the YMCA with him. López had to leave the game at halftime due to hypothermia.
Walker Zimmerman celebrates the goal with his USMNT teammates.
Zimmerman is still celebrating his goal as his teammates try to figure out the polite way to tell their captain that they are cold and want to continue playing.
Miles Robinson beats Honduras forward Bryan Róchez to a header.
Weston McKennie is fully confident strutting across the field with his new look, which appears as a mashup between a ballerina and an old-west bandit.
Jordan Morris made his first start for the USMNT in World Cup qualifying since September, 2017.
Pulisic does that which he does best, scores goals, putting the USMNT ahead by a 3-0 margin in the 67th minute.
Zimmerman kills some dead time in the game by practicing for his second career as opera singer. Christian Pulisic is really feeling Zimmerman’s rendition of Richard Wagner’s classic masterpiece Die Walküre.
Tim Weah has trouble seeing the yellow card shown against him through the fog.
Brenden Aaronson, Paul Arriola and Miles Robinson celebrate the win with injured teammate Chris Richards.
The team collectively slips on the frozen surface while celebrating the well-earned victory.
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Yanks Abroad

Since 2004, Yanks Abroad has been providing coverage of the U.S. national team program and American players plying their trade around the world. We are committed to bringing you breaking news, interviews, and features that keep you in the loop with what's going with the United States in the soccer world.

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