Chris Richards - Page 2 - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

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, "It's the Worl...

Impact 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.

JUNE 10 • ROTOWIRE

Is Chris Richards the most IMPORTANT U.S. player on the national team? 🇺🇸

Is Chris Richards the most IMPORTANT U.S. player on the national team? 🇺🇸

JUNE 9 • FOX SPORTS

What We Learned From The USA's World Cup Friendlies Before Opener vs. Paraguay

What did we learn about USMNT from their games against Senegal and Germany? Our experts break it down.

JUNE 9 • FOX SPORTS

What We Learned From The USA's World Cup Friendlies Before Opener vs. Paraguay

USA's Chris Richards Fully Participates In Practice Before World Cup Opener

Top defender Chris Richards participated in his first full practice with the U.S. World Cup team when the Americans reported to their traini...

JUNE 9 • FOX SPORTS

USA's Chris Richards Fully Participates In Practice Before World Cup Opener

Training fully Monday Richards (ankle) is back in full training Monday, according to Steven Goff of Yahoo Sports.

Impact 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.

JUNE 8 • ROTOWIRE

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...

Impact 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.

JUNE 5 • ROTOWIRE

Doug McIntyre reports on Chris Richards' status ahead of USA vs Germany

Doug McIntyre reports on Chris Richards' status ahead of USA vs Germany

JUNE 5 • FOX SPORTS

Chris Richards trains with U.S. team with World Cup deadline looming

Chris Richards is training with the U.S. in a positive sign for the top American defender as he tries to make it back in time for the World Cup

JUNE 5 • Associated Press

USA's Last Pre-World Cup Test Comes Amid Injury Uncertainty For A Key Defender

The vibes are high in Chicago ahead of USA's last match before the World Cup begins -- even without its star center back.

JUNE 5 • FOX SPORTS

USA's Last Pre-World Cup Test Comes Amid Injury Uncertainty For A Key Defender

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,...

Impact 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.

JUNE 5 • ROTOWIRE

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.

Impact 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.

JUNE 2 • ROTOWIRE

Full United States 2026 FIFA World Cup™ 26-Man Roster Reveal ⚽️ FOX Soccer

Full United States 2026 FIFA World Cup™ 26-Man Roster Reveal ⚽️ FOX Soccer

JUNE 2 • FOX SPORTS

'We Need to See:' Uncertainty Over Chris Richards' Injury As World Cup Looms

USA defender center back Chris Richards won’t play in Sunday’s World Cup preparation match against Senegal because of an ankle injury.

MAY 30 • FOX SPORTS

'We Need to See:' Uncertainty Over Chris Richards' Injury As World Cup Looms

Chris Richards is uncertain for the US in World Cup and will miss Senegal friendly

Top American defender Chris Richards is uncertain for the World Cup due to an ankle injury

MAY 30 • Associated Press

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 t...

Impact 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.

MAY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Reports to USMNT camp Richards (ankle) was viewed at the USMNT training center ahead of the 2026 World Cup, according to Steven Goff of Yahoo Sports.

Impact Richards missed out on Palace's UECL final win after going unused off the bench, but continues to see positive updates, as he immediately reported to the USMNT camp after the final. This is likely to focus on his training as he continues to heal from an ankle injury, wanting to make sure he is 100% to help his team. He is scheduled to be a starter for the club come the start of the tournament, so the defender does have the host nation holding their breath for the return of a critical defender.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Is There Concern About Chris Richards? Doug McIntyre Breaks It Down

Is There Concern About Chris Richards? Doug McIntyre Breaks It Down

MAY 27 • FOX SPORTS

Stays on bench in UECL final Richards (ankle) was an unused substitute in Wednesday's UEFA Conference League title win over Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Richards trained in recent days and traveled with the team after dealing with an apparently minor issue. However, he was not involved in an important matchup, suggesting he's yet to make a full recovery. In any case, he's expected to join the USMNT squad and get the nod in the World Cup opener versus Paraguay. The center-back enjoyed another productive campaign in England, notching one goal in 33 league appearances (31 starts) and ranking first and second for Palace with averages of 1.3 interceptions and 5.9 clearances per game, respectively.

MAY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Mauricio Pochettino: 'Disrespectful' To Focus On USA World Cup Roster Omissions

United States men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino shut down questions regarding omissions as "disrespectful" to the selected...

MAY 27 • FOX SPORTS

Mauricio Pochettino: 'Disrespectful' To Focus On USA World Cup Roster Omissions

5 Takeaways From USA's World Cup Roster Selection

The United States' roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set. Here are my five takeaways now that the 26 players are locked in.

MAY 26 • FOX SPORTS

5 Takeaways From USA's World Cup Roster Selection

Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano out of shadow of big-city neighbors in Conference League final

There’s an ironic prize on offer if Crystal Palace can beat Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final on Wednesday

MAY 26 • Associated Press

Picked for traveling squad Richards (ankle) is in the traveling squad for Wednesday's match against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Richards has been picked to travel with the squad Wednesday, still recovering from an ankle injury. The defender now has an outside chance at making the play sheet, although it remains in question for how many minutes. He has been a starter, so they will hope to have him as they try to lift a trophy, but he will also want to be cautious as he prepares for the 2026 World Cup with the USMNT.

MAY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Latest Intel On USA's 2026 World Cup Roster: What Surprises Are Looming?

A consistent theme has emerged on the eve of Mauricio Pochettino selecting the USA's roster for next month’s World Cup: Nobody really knows.

MAY 22 • FOX SPORTS

Latest Intel On USA's 2026 World Cup Roster: What Surprises Are Looming?

Set to avoid extended absence Richards (ankle) is reported to be dealing with a low-grade injury and remains hopeful to play fully for USMNT in the World Cup, per Men in Blazers.

Impact Richards is ruled out for Sunday's EPL season finale against Arsenal as he recovers from his ankle issue, with Crystal Palace coach saying that "it's now 50/50 for him and for us if he can play in the Final in Leipzig." ahead of the UEFA Conference League final on May 27. The defender should be called up for the World Cup and play a major role, assuming he stays fit throughout the tournament. He finished the 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a career-high 196 clearances while adding 55 tackles, 43 interceptions and one goal over 33 appearances (31 starts). Chadi Riad is likely to feature for the Eagles while Richards is sidelined against Arsenal.

MAY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Out for season finale Richards (ankle) won't play in Sunday's season finale against Arsenal, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "Chris will miss the Arsenal game as well, and it's now 50/50 for him an...

Impact Based on the nature of the injury, it wouldn't be surprising if Richards also missed the Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano next Wednesday. Richards is expected to be named to the USMNT squad if healthy. The centre-back finished the 2025/26 Premier League season with a career-high 196 clearances, as well as 55 tackles, 43 interceptions and a goal in 33 appearances (31 starts) for the Eagles.

MAY 21 • ROTOWIRE