Chris Richards didn’t sugarcoat it when asked about his availability for the U.S. men’s national team’s FIFA World Cup opener. against Paraguay on Friday
“I’m ready,” Richards told reporters on Wednesday from the USMNT’s training camp in Irvine, California. “I mean, it’s the World Cup, so I’m going to make myself ready regardless. I’m feeling good. Maybe a little swollen, but nothing tape can’t help.”
Richards has been with the USMNT in camp rehabbing from torn ankle ligaments suffered in English Premier League play with Crystal Palace on May 17. The veteran centerback did not feature in the Eagles’ final two matches of their club schedule or the USMNT’s pre-World Cup friendlies against Senegal and Germany.
Although he only returned to full training on Monday, Richards believes his rehab period was the correct timeframe.
“Rehab is rehab. It’s never really fun,” Richards said. “It’s been long days of just trying to get my ankle right, swelling, whatever the case is, trying to get everything right. But it took about as long as I expected. I think the initial diagnosis was day-to-day, but I think for me I was maybe more at the two to three weeks.”
Richards delivered a sensational club season with Crystal Palace, lifting the FA Community Shield and UEFA Conference League trophies. He made 50 appearances in Oliver Glasner’s squad across all competitions before worry struck when Richards hobbled off the field at the Gtech Community Stadium in Palace’s penultimate EPL match.
After missing the USMNT’s FIFA World Cup involvement in 2022, Richards admitted he was worried about potentially being ruled out this time around too.
“When I first came out with the injury, I was pretty devastated, and I was honestly fearing the worst,” Richards said. “But I kind of forced myself back on the pitch to prove to myself that it was doable.
“So, for me, once I finally got the diagnosis, it was, ‘All right, how do I get ready for this game against Paraguay,”?’ Richards added. “And that’s what I’ve been doing in 24 hours, been doing recovery, been doing whatever it takes to be available for this first game.”
Although Richards didn’t feature in the last two friendlies, it seems very likely that Mauricio Pochettino will call on him in the starting lineup on Friday. Tim Ream, Miles Robinson, Mark McKenzie, and Auston Trusty all earned minutes over the past few weeks, but Richards remains the USMNT’s No. 1 centerback going forward.
Despite not having tons of training time before the first match, Richards confirmed he wouldn’t put himself out there at Los Angeles Stadium if he wasn’t fully ready to go.
“I wouldn’t put myself in a position if I didn’t think that I could do everything 100%,” Richards said. “I mean, I think part of playing this sport is you’re going to have some pain at some point, and I’m totally okay with that as long as functionally I’m good. That’s the No. 1 thing for me.
“Every time they’ve asked me, I told them I’m good even when I first got to camp,” he added. “I’m good. I think they’ve seen the progression over the last few weeks. Me personally, I think I look good on the pitch now. I think hopefully it’s been a good time for them. And again, every time, I tell them I’m ready. So, whatever they decide on Friday, I’ll back them, but I want to be on the field.”
The USMNT will seek three points against Paraguay, knowing a positive start in Group D play could make or break their chances at potentially topping the group.