During the busy holiday football season, the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) is facing a mounting injury crisis even though they are not actively competing. Defender Chris Richards had to leave the EFL Cup quarterfinal match against Arsenal due to injury; Crystal Palace drew 1-1 before losing 8-7 in a penalty shootout that followed. This injury comes shortly after captain Tyler Adams suffered a significant knee injury, ruling him out for 2-3 months.

Richards went down in the 73rd minute, needing to be stretchered off the pitch following a fall. Despite the match result, the focus turned to the condition of Richards, with coach Oliver Glasner stating that Richards required stitches on his foot. Glasner expressed hope that the injury wasn’t severe, indicating that Richards might still play on New Year’s Day.

Having been a key player for both his club and the USMNT along with serving as captain at times under Maurico Pochettino, Richards’s potential absence raises concerns ahead of the World Cup on home soil in 2026. Currently projected as a starter, Richards’s injury puts significant pressure on the defensive lineup, particularly with another defender, Tim Ream, nearing the end of his career at 38.

Now, attention turns to the severity of Richards’s injury. Fans of the USMNT hope for the best as the next official match will be in March against Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace is set to play Tottenham and Fulham on December 28 and January 1, respectively. The tight fixture schedule adds to the challenge, especially with the team in contention for a top-four Premier League finish while also competing in the FA Cup and Europa Conference League.