Two Honduras players treated for hypothermia in World Cup qualifying loss to USMNT

Honduras goalkeeper Luis Lopez and forward Romell Quioto were removed at halftime against the United States men's national team on Wednesday so they could be treated for hypothermia, according to head coach Hernan Dario Gomez.

The match, which the USMNT won 3-0, was controversially played in wintery conditions in Minnesota with the temperature dipping down near 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Players attempted to shield themselves from the weather with face coverings, but they were unable to prevent extreme discomfort.

"It's not normal," said Gomez before the game. "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."

Lopez was reportedly still being treated in the locker room when the game ended.

His teammate, Quioto, also suffered from hypothermia symptoms but his condition is less severe, according to Gomez.

USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter defended his federation's decision to play in freezing conditions.

"What I would say is that we provided Honduras and their staff and the referees with warm weather gear," he said. "We provided them with heat gear, and were trying to make it a safe environment for them to play. When we go down to those countries, and it's 90 degrees in 90% 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.

"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 minimize travel. We knew we're gonna be playing in cold weather in two of the games and we figured to