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Chris Richards, the center back who hobbled off the field with an ankle injury over the weekend, will be absent when the U.S. men's national team opens its 2026 World Cup training camp.
The 25-year-old is considered a certainty for Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup squad, which is scheduled to be announced in New York City on Tuesday, May 26. Richards is also projected to be a starter at this summer's tournament, anchoring a defensive unit that will be looking to redeem itself following a shaky performance during the March international window.
Alarm bells rang on Sunday, however, when he collapsed in agony during Crystal Palace's 2–2 stalemate with Brentford. Although he received on-field treatment, Richards managed to see out the match, though he appeared visibly uncomfortable throughout.
The injury concern adds yet another headache for Pochettino with the World Cup now less than a month away, compounded by the fact that his top defender will also miss the opening of the team's World Cup preparations in Fayetteville, Georgia later this month.
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Why Richards Will Miss the Start of USMNT's World Cup Training Camp
Even prior to sustaining the ankle injury, Richards was never going to join his national team colleagues for the opening training sessions of their World Cup preparations. The American will instead remain with his club Crystal Palace, gearing up for and ultimately featuring in the Conference League final.
The Eagles face La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, May 27—the very same day the USMNT's training camp gets underway. Richards is naturally expected to be part of Olivier Glasner's squad for the European showpiece, where he is anticipated to start, provided his recovery progresses without complications.
Glasner may opt to give Richards a rest during Crystal Palace's final Premier League fixture against Arsenal this weekend, affording the center back additional recovery time ahead of the Conference League final. With the Gunners having already secured the league title, the match carries little significance for either team.
Pochettino would undoubtedly back Glasner in taking a cautious approach with Richards, particularly given the mounting injury concerns surrounding the USMNT in the lead-up to the World Cup, which the host nation opens against Paraguay on June 12.
Brenden Aaronson Also Suffers Injury Scare
On the same afternoon Richards went down, World Cup hopeful Brenden Aaronson also required medical attention after going to ground during Leeds United's 1–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. The American eventually limped off the field and was substituted in the 60th minute.
The injury concern proved to be nothing more than a scare, however, unlike Richards's ankle problem. Leeds boss Daniel Farke confirmed on Sunday that Aaronson had suffered a "dead leg," dismissing any serious worry.
While Aaronson is not expected to play a prominent role for the national team this summer—he remains one of the fringe candidates still uncertain of earning a call-up—losing the 25-year-old to injury would have effectively made the decision for Pochettino, a scenario he is becoming increasingly familiar with.
Atlético Madrid midfielder Johnny Cardoso was recently ruled out of the World Cup following ankle surgery. Striker Patrick Agyemang will also miss the tournament due to an Achilles tendon injury, while goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann has been sidelined with a broken neck.