Chris Richards
CRY
Center Back
Controlled Center Back
Mar 28, 2000 (26)
Right
6'2"
192 lb
Wins four tackles in loss
Richards had one shot (zero on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 2-0 loss against Newcastle United.
Analysis: Richards turned in a strong individual performance Sunday, winning four tackles, recording an interception and claiming four aerial duels. The defender continues to trend upward despite receiving limited support from a struggling back line. Over his last five league appearances, he has totaled nine interceptions, eight tackles won and 16 aerials won, though many of those contributions have gone unnoticed with the team conceding 11 goals during that span.
Scores off bench for USMNT
Richards scored after coming off the bench in the United States' 4-2 win over Chile, netting his fourth senior international goal.
Analysis: Richards entered in the 63rd minute and needed less than 10 minutes to make an impact, powering home a header from Sebastian Berhalter's corner. The center-back's involvement also confirms his availability after his workload had been managed earlier in the international break. Richards has been an undisputed starter in Crystal Palace's back three this season, recording eight tackles, seven interceptions and 33 clearances across five Premier League appearances.
Could feature against Chile
Richards will be evaluated again before Tuesday's friendly against Chile, and might end up playing, with coach Mauricio Pochettino calling it a load management issue with no specifics, according to Steven Goff of Yahoo Sports.
Analysis: Richards had been absent from the first two days of USMNT camp due to personal reasons before returning and clearing a precautionary evaluation, and this latest update suggests he remains on track to be available. He should be fit to resume action with Crystal Palace following the international break.
Resumes training after absence
Richards was absent from the first two days of the USMNT camp due to personal reasons, but has returned and is cleared for training following a precautionary evaluation, according to Steven Goff of Yahoo Sports.
Analysis: Richards was not with the USMNT as they started their camp for the international break, absent for two sessions due to personal reasons. He returned but was not welcomed to training immediately, needing to pass a precautionary evaluation before he was allowed to resume activities. The good news for any fantasy owners is that he should be fit to resume action with Palace following the break, appearing to have avoided any injuries.
Makes eight clearances
Richards had one cross (zero accurate) and two tackles in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Leeds United.
Analysis: Richards anchored Palace's defense during the scoreless draw, leading the side with eight clearances while also contributing two tackles. The center-back helped limit Leeds' opportunities despite the hosts applying pressure at different stages of the contest. Richards has accumulated eight tackles, seven interceptions and 33 clearances across five Premier League appearances this season, remaining a consistent presence in Palace's back line.
Plays 90 in 3-2 loss
Richards generated one cross (zero accurate) and one tackle in Saturday's 3-2 defeat against Ipswich Town. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 94th minute.
Analysis: Richards had a busy defensive display as Crystal Palace lost 3-2 to Ipswich. The American will be disappointed that all three goals came aerially into the box from the opposition. He made nine clearances but only won two of his six aerial duels.
Notches two clearances
Richards recorded one shot (one on goal) in Friday's 4-1 loss to Manchester City.
Analysis: Richards had a rough match Friday as the defender stuck on Erling Haaland's hip most of the contest, with the defender notching one tackle, two interceptions and two clearances in the defense. He would also earn a shot and put it on target, although no goal followed.
Makes nine clearances
Richards generated two tackles (two won), nine clearances and two interceptions in Saturday's 2-0 defeat versus Everton.
Analysis: Richards registered two tackles won, two interceptions, three blocks and nine clearances in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Everton, delivering the outstanding individual defensive performance of the match for his side and throwing himself into every defensive situation as his side's most combative backline presence. The American center back's nine clearances were the most of any player on the pitch and his physical authority and reliability make him one of Crystal Palace's most important defensive assets.
Reports for preseason duty
Richards has reported for preseason duty with Crystal Palace ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Analysis: Richards is one of two Palace internationals who reported to training ahead of the new season Friday, with Daichi Kamada being the other. Richards should be a key presence at the back for the Eagles if he stays healthy after a 2025/26 campaign in which he recorded 196 clearances across 33 appearances (31 starts) in league play.
Mixed outing in defeat
Richards recorded one tackle (zero won) and nine clearances in Monday's 4-1 loss versus Belgium.
Analysis: Richards almost reached double digits in clearances, leading all players in the game in that category, but he committed a costly error and saw his team's goal beaten four times in the round of 16 clash. It was the end of the USMNT's World Cup run, and the key defender logged 90 minutes in four out of five matches. While the team's high possession numbers allowed him to amass passes, he also stood out for his average of 6.8 clearances per contest. He'll aim to return to a consistent role when club action resumes in August.
Registers eight notches
Richards had eight clearances and one interception in Wednesday's 2-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Analysis: Richards was solid in the defense for the USMNT on Wednesday as he helped his team to a clean sheet, notching one interception and eight clearances. This means the defender has now been a part of two clean sheets this tournament, proving the USA defense has improved from years past. However, things will get tougher against Belgium, facing an experienced team with a mix of speed and skill in their attack.
Records team-high seven clearances
Richards generated three tackles (two won), seven clearances and two interceptions in Friday's 2-0 win over Australia. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 93rd minute.
Analysis: Richards hasn't shown any indications of the injury that kept him sidelined towards the end of the 2025/26 Premier League season, and he's been a solid contributor at the back for the USMNT. The Crystal Palace defender has racked up 10 clearances, three tackles and three interceptions while going the full 90 in both wins thus far.
Plays 90 after injury
Richards recorded a full 90 minutes in Friday's 4-1 win over Paraguay.
Analysis: Richards would earn the start Friday after some questions about his health following an ankle injury. However, he put all the worries to rest, as he would not just start but also play the full 90. With multiple clearances out of the box and a solid effort, he seems to be close to his regular self again. That said, he recorded three clearances, an interception and one tackle won in the defense.
Starting opener
Richards (ankle) is in the starting XI for Friday's match against Paraguay.
Analysis: Richards is back with the USMNT as expected for their opener, as the defender takes a spot in the starting defense to face Paraguay. This is a major return for the defense as they add back their best center-back, likely to play a major role moving forward. He is partnered with Tim Ream and Alex Freeman in the defense, with Mark McKenzie likely to be added to the rotation as the tournament plays out.
Ready for World Cup opener
Richards has rejoined full training this week and is ready to play without any minutes restrictions, pending manager Mauricio Pochettino's approval. the player said , according to Tom Bogert of The Athletic. "It's the World Cup. I was going to make myself ready regardless. ... If there's any time to sacrifice yourself, it's now. I know I'm able to play Friday, but I don't make those decisions."
Analysis: Richards has rejoined full training this week for the first time since picking up an ankle injury with Crystal Palace on May 17, having missed two preparatory friendlies for the World Cup as a result. The player is fit, unrestricted in terms of minutes and eager to put himself forward, which represents a major boost for the host nation ahead of coach Mauricio Pochettino's decision on whether to hand him an immediate starting role.
Training fully Monday
Richards (ankle) is back in full training Monday, according to Steven Goff of Yahoo Sports.
Analysis: Richards is further improving his status as the USMNT prepares for the World Cup, as the defender returned to full training Monday. This comes after a report that he was targeting the opener for a return, further reinforced by his availability in training Monday. If he is deemed fit for the opener against Paraguay, he is more than likely to start in the center of the defense.
Targeting opener against Paraguay
Richards (ankle) has returned to full contact training and is confident he will be ready for the USMNT's World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12, despite being unavailable for Saturday's friendly against Germany, according to Sophia Vesely of SI. "I feel good. When I first got into camp after two long days of travel, I had a bit of a swollen ankle, but I've been doing treatment almost 24 hours per day, so I feel really good, and I'm getting ready for the opener a week from today."
Analysis: Richards tore two ligaments in his ankle last month, missing Crystal Palace's Europa Conference League final victory and the early stages of the USMNT's pre-tournament camp, but has progressed from individual work to joining the group for Friday's team session. Coach Mauricio Pochettino retains the option to make an injury-related roster swap until 24 hours before the opener and will assess Richards in the days following the Germany friendly before making a final decision, though the Palace center-back's confidence and return to full contact training are the clearest signs yet that he will be available when the tournament gets underway.
Not playing in friendly
Richards (ankle) won't be an option for Saturday's friendly match against Germany, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino. "He's not ready to compete and play. ... At the moment, he's doing his recovery."
Analysis: Richards didn't play for Palace in the UEFA Conference League final and has yet to play for the USMNT in the pre-World Cup friendlies. He's aiming to be fit for the tournament opener against Paraguay on June 12, but it looks like a race against time. If Richards isn't ready to play for the WC opener, Mark McKenzie could start next to Tim Ream at center-back.
Training separately Tuesday
Richards (ankle) has been limited to individual work in the USMNT's training camp ahead of their initial World Cup match against Paraguay, Henry Bushnell of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Richards' participation in the upcoming international test is still in doubt as he continues to struggle with an ankle injury that was originally thought to be minor. The defender should be a key element of the hosts' back line in the summer tournament, although his physical problems could limit his time on the pitch in the first few games. In that case, all of Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie and Auston Trusty may see increased roles.
World Cup opener in doubt
Richards (ankle) remains uncertain for the World Cup opener, with coach Mauricio Pochettino acknowledging he is not yet sure whether the defender will be ready in time, according to Pablo Iglesias Maurer of The Guardian.
Analysis: Richards has been working through his rehabilitation at the USMNT training center after reporting directly to camp following Crystal Palace's Europa Conference League final, but his fitness for the tournament opener on June 12 remains in question. The USMNT has yet to submit their official roster to FIFA and retains the ability to make injury replacements up to 24 hours before the first match, leaving the door open for adjustments should Richards be unable to prove his fitness in time. The center-back had been penciled in as a starter for the host nation heading into the tournament, making the uncertainty surrounding his condition one of the more closely watched developments in the American camp over the coming days.
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