Christian Pulisic on bench for United States in record-cold World Cup qualifier

Christian Pulisic was not in the starting XI as United States coach Gregg Berhalter changed seven starters for Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier against Honduras in chilly St. Paul, Minnesota, where the temperature at kickoff was forecast for 3-4 degrees Fahrenheit.

A wind chill of about minus-14 was predicted.

The previous low for a U.S. home game was 29 degrees in a win over Mexico at the old Columbus Crew Stadium in February 2001, the Snow Clasico victory over Costa Rica at Commerce City, Colorado, in March 2013 and the 1-0 win over El Salvador at lower.com Field in Columbus last Thursday.

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Right-back Reggie Cannon, central defender Walker Zimmerman, midfielders Kellyn Acosta, Jordan Morris, Luca de la Torre and Timothy Weah, and forward Ricardo Pepi entered the starting lineup. The holdovers were goalkeeper Matt Turner, defender Miles Robinson, left-back Antonee Robinson and midfielder Weston McKennie.

Pulisic, the top U.S. player, had subpar performances in the 1-0 win over El Salvador and the 2-0 loss at Canada. The Americans, who could sorely use a win against Honduras, are second in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying table with 18 points, four behind Canada and ahead of rivals Mexico on goal difference.

Midfielder Tyler Adams and defender Chris Richards got hurt during Sunday's defeat. Moving on the bench along with Pulisic were right-back Sergino Dest, midfielders Yunus Musah and Brenden Aaronson, and forward Gyasi Zardes.

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