After being stretchered off during Crystal Palace’s midweek EFL Cup loss on penalties to Arsenal, US defender Chris Richards has provided an encouraging update regarding his recovery, which will certainly bring relief to fans of both his club and the national team.
Richards has been ruled out for Palace’s upcoming match against Tottenham due to his injury, as confirmed by manager Oliver Glasner, who did not provide a specific timeline for Richards’ return but hinted at the possibility of him being back for their New Year’s Day game.
Upcoming Match Details
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
- Time: 11:30 a.m.
- Location: Selhurst Park, London
- TV: USA
- Odds: Crystal Palace +120; Draw +230; Tottenham +240
Richards expressed optimism on his Instagram, saying, “Thanks everybody for the messages, won’t be long till I’m back.”
This recovery news is vital, not only for Crystal Palace but also for Mauricio Pochettino and the US men’s national team, particularly since Tyler Adams will be sidelined for 2-3 months with an MCL tear sustained while playing for Bournemouth against Manchester United.
Richards and Tim Ream are considered the top defenders for the USMNT, and losing Richards would impact the team’s depth and strategy ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
Crystal Palace is entering a busy phase with games lined up, and they will need their defense at full strength as they prepare for these challenges.
