USMNT's Chris Richards likely out of World Cup due to ankle injury
USMNT defender Chris Richards suffered torn ankle ligaments on May 17 while playing for Crystal Palace, casting doubt on his participation in the 2026 World Cup. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed Richards will miss the final pre-tournament friendly against Germany, expressing frustration over unclear recovery timelines from Crystal Palace. The USMNT opens its World Cup campaign against Paraguay on June 12. FIFA allows injury replacements up to 24 hours before the first match, and Pochettino will decide Richards' tournament status soon based on medical assessments.
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Chris Richards starting USMNT opener vs. Paraguay; Matt Freese in net
The U.S. men's national team's top defender Chris Richards, who missed the final two friendlies due to an ankle injury sustained while playing for Crystal Palace, is in the starting lineup for the Americans' World Cup Group D opener against Paraguay on Friday evening in Inglewood, California. Manager Mauricio Pochettino kept the lineup secret until less than 90 minutes before kickoff. Richards replaces Miles Robinson, who started in the warm-up friendlies against Senegal and Germany. Matt Freese gets the start in goal over Matt Turner, the 2022 World Cup starter, continuing from the final friendly. Paraguay forward Julio Enciso also starts after recovering from an injury. The full USMNT starting XI includes Freese, Dest, Ream, Richards, Freeman, Robinson, McKennie, Adams, Tillman, Pulisic, and Balogun.
Yardbarker: SoccerUSMNT Defender Chris Richards Available for Selection vs. Paraguay After Ankle Injury
United States men's national team defender Chris Richards has been declared available for selection ahead of the team's match against Paraguay, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino. Richards, who had been limited by an ankle injury, told reporters on Wednesday that he feels ready for the World Cup. Pochettino confirmed the defender's availability on Thursday, providing a boost to the USMNT's defensive options as they prepare for the upcoming fixture. The news comes as the team continues its preparations for the 2026 World Cup, with Richards' recovery seen as a positive development for the squad's depth and defensive stability.
Yardbarker: SoccerUSMNT's Chris Richards declares he's 'ready' for World Cup opener
Ahead of the U.S. men's national team's World Cup opener against Paraguay on Friday, defender Chris Richards has declared himself fully fit and ready to play. The announcement provides a significant boost to the USMNT squad as they prepare for their first match of the tournament. Richards' availability strengthens the team's defensive options for the crucial group stage encounter.
Yardbarker: SoccerUS Center-Back Chris Richards Recovers in Time, Available for World Cup Opener Against Paraguay
Crystal Palace center-back Chris Richards has recovered from an ankle injury suffered on May 17 and is available for the US national team's World Cup group stage opener against Paraguay on June 13 at Los Angeles Stadium. Richards missed two pre-tournament friendlies but returned to full training on June 8. He stated he is physically ready to play the full 90 minutes, though the final decision rests with head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Richards, 26, previously missed the 2022 World Cup due to injury and feared this dream might be shattered again. His recovery is a major boost for the US defense, which was tested in friendlies against Germany and Senegal. Teammate Tim Weah called Richards one of the most important players and his best friend. The US also faces Australia on June 19 in the group stage.
虎扑 - 足球USMNT Defender Chris Richards Declares Himself 'Ready' for World Cup Opener Against Paraguay
USMNT and Crystal Palace center back Chris Richards has declared himself fully fit and ready to start in the United States' World Cup opener against Paraguay on Friday, June 12, 2026. Richards, 26, missed both pre-tournament friendlies against Germany and Senegal due to an ankle injury sustained on May 17. He returned to full training on June 8 and told reporters on June 10 that he is 'ready to go' and has not been told of any minutes restrictions. Richards admitted he feared the worst after the injury, given he also missed the 2022 World Cup due to injury. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino had expressed frustration over the lack of clear information about Richards' recovery timeline. Teammate Tim Weah described Richards as both a crucial player and his best friend. The USMNT hosts Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium in their Group A opener.
Soccer - The AthleticPochettino: USMNT's Chris Richards Out vs Germany With World Cup Roster Decision Looming
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that center back Chris Richards will miss the World Cup warmup friendly against Germany due to an ankle injury sustained on May 17 while playing for Crystal Palace. Richards, who was named to the 26-man World Cup squad, has not played since and was an unused substitute in Palace's Conference League final. Pochettino expressed frustration over the lack of clarity regarding Richards' recovery timeline, noting that initial information suggested he might play in the Conference League final or the Senegal friendly, but timelines kept being pushed back. The USMNT faces Paraguay on June 12, and FIFA allows injury replacements up to 24 hours before the first match (June 11 deadline). Richards participated in ball work with the full team for the first time on June 5, but Pochettino said a decision on his tournament status will come in the next few days based on medical assessment.
Soccer - The AthleticPochettino: USMNT's Chris Richards Out vs. Germany With World Cup Decision Looming
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that center back Chris Richards will miss the World Cup warm-up friendly against Germany due to an ankle injury sustained on May 17. Richards, who was named to the 26-man World Cup squad, has not played since the injury and only recently began ball work with the team. Pochettino expressed frustration over the lack of clear injury information from Crystal Palace, noting that the timeline for Richards' return has repeatedly been pushed back. The USMNT must decide by June 11 whether to replace Richards on the roster before their World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12. Pochettino indicated that a decision on Richards' tournament status will be made in the coming days based on medical assessments.
Soccer - The AthleticPochettino: USMNT's Chris Richards Out vs. Germany with World Cup Decision Looming
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that center back Chris Richards will miss the World Cup send-off friendly against Germany due to an ankle injury sustained on May 17 while playing for Crystal Palace. Richards was named to the 26-man World Cup squad but has not played since the injury, missing Crystal Palace's UEFA Conference League final and the USMNT's win over Senegal. Pochettino expressed frustration over the lack of clear injury information from Crystal Palace, which complicated roster decisions. The USMNT can replace Richards due to injury up to 24 hours before their World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12. Richards is considered a defensive anchor for the team, and Pochettino faces a difficult decision on whether to keep him on the roster despite his lack of match fitness.
Soccer - The AthleticChris Richards’ World Cup in doubt as ankle injury rules USMNT defender out for Germany friendly
USMNT defender Chris Richards is unlikely to play in the World Cup after suffering an ankle ligament injury during Crystal Palace's Premier League match against Brentford. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed Richards will miss the final pre-tournament friendly against Germany, expressing frustration with Crystal Palace's initial optimistic assessment that Richards might play in the Conference League final. Richards has been rehabbing separately from the team. Pochettino emphasized he will not risk playing any player who is not 100% fit. With Richards unavailable, Mark McKenzie is expected to start in the center-back trio. The USMNT opens its World Cup group stage against Paraguay on June 12. Teams can make medically related squad changes up to 24 hours before their first match.
Football | The GuardianChris Richards's World Cup in doubt as ankle injury rules USMNT defender out for Germany friendly
USMNT defender Chris Richards is unlikely to play in the United States' final World Cup tune-up friendly against Germany due to an ankle injury, casting doubt on his participation in the 2026 World Cup. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed frustration with Crystal Palace's initial injury assessment, which suggested Richards might be fit for the Conference League final. Richards suffered torn ankle ligaments in Palace's Premier League match against Brentford and missed subsequent games. Pochettino stated he will not risk playing any player who is not 100% fit. The USMNT opens its World Cup campaign against Paraguay on June 12. With Richards unavailable, Mark McKenzie is expected to start in central defense. The article also discusses potential replacements and the depth of Pochettino's defensive roster.
Football | The Guardian