Chris Richards’ hopes of playing for the United States on home soil in the World Cup are in jeopardy due to an ankle injury, with coach Mauricio Pochettino leaving the defender out of the squad for a friendly against Senegal on Sunday.
Richards tore two ligaments in his ankle while playing for Crystal Palace in a 2-2 Premier League draw against Brentford this month and did not feature in the club’s final victory in the Conference League this week.
“We have decided together with Chris, the medical staff and the executive staff (for him) not to be part of the group that plays tomorrow in North Carolina against Senegal,” Pochettino told reporters on Saturday.
“I think he needs to continue his rehabilitation, and I think it’s much better to stay here and plan to train next week and re-evaluate how he’s doing.
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«I asked (assistant coach) Jesus a hundred times yesterday (when Richards) arrived: ‘What do you think? What information do we have?’. The answer was: ‘Wait, wait, wait, wait.’ Yes, it’s too early. We have to see it. The coming days will be crucial.”
Pochettino added that defender Tim Ream, who has made 80 appearances for the United States, has been named captain of the side.
«I am so grateful that he is with us because he is a great captain, not only on the pitch, but perhaps more importantly, off the pitch,» Pochettino added.
“I think he has the experience and ability to be the leader we want, the positive leader.”
The United States, which is co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico and Canada, opens its Group D campaign against Paraguay on June 12 at the SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.
Published on May 31, 2026
