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USMNT star Chris Richards tears two ankle ligaments By Tylor Brooks | USA Herald

United States Men’s National Team defender Chris Richards has suffered two torn ligaments in his ankle just three weeks before the 2026 World Cup kicks off. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed the severe injury on Thursday, clouding the center-back's immediate club future. However, a source close to the national team stated that Richards remains expected to achieve full fitness before the tournament begins.

Crystal Palace loses star defender for season finale

The 26-year-old American sustained the injury during Crystal Palace's recent draw against Brentford. The timing proves devastating for his English club, which is currently navigating the final stretch of a historic campaign.

Glasner ruled Richards out of the upcoming English Premier League season finale against Arsenal. Furthermore, the American defender faces an uphill battle to recover for the UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig.

"Chris will miss the Arsenal game as well, and it's now 50/50 for him and for us if he can play in the Final in Leipzig," Glasner announced during a press conference. "He tore two ligaments in his ankle. I think it's stable, but quite swollen, and we have to deal with the swelling."

The club’s medical staff has placed Richards on an intensive rehabilitation program to accelerate his recovery.

• Daily schedule: The defender is undergoing treatment from sunrise to sunset.

• Primary focus: Medical staff are prioritizing localized swelling reduction before clearing him for field work.

• Prerequisite: Richards must resume on-pitch training before coaches consider him for match selection.

Mauricio Pochettino faces defensive roster crisis

The injury injects massive uncertainty into the USMNT camp as manager Mauricio Pochettino prepares to finalize his 26-man roster. Richards has developed into an indispensable pillar of the American defense under the Argentine manager. The Alabama native even captained the United States during their most recent international friendly against Portugal.

Pochettino is scheduled to officially unveil his World Cup squad on Tuesday, leaving him with an incredibly tight timeline to assess his defensive anchor.

Despite the structural damage to the ankle, national team insiders maintain an optimistic outlook. A source told ESPN that the internal timeline maps a return to match fitness within seven days, meaning his spot on the plane to the tournament is not currently in jeopardy.

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup begins

The United States enters a crucial preparation window with zero margin for error. The team cannot afford prolonged absences from starting players if they hope to advance deep into the home tournament.

• May 31: International friendly against Senegal.

• June 6: Final warmup match against Germany.

• June 12: Official World Cup opening match against Paraguay in Inglewood, California.

Richards has earned 36 international caps since his senior debut in 2020. His presence alongside established stars provides the defensive cohesion necessary to face elite international attackers. Whether his ankle can withstand the intense physicality of tournament football after a double ligament tear remains the ultimate unanswered question for American soccer fans.