Chris Richards and Crystal Palace are heading to the UEFA Conference League Final.
Richards started and played 90 minutes at Selhurst Park as Oliver Glasner’s men downed Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 in semifinal second leg action. The result propelled the Eagles past their Ukrainian opponents 5-2 on aggregate, setting up a final date with Spanish club Rayo Vallecano on May 25.
A Pedro Henrique own goal paired with an Ismaila Sarr finish was all the Eagles needed to pad their aggregate advantage. Eguinaldo pulled one goal back before halftime but Sarr’s later goal gave Crystal Palace more than enough breathing room to advance.
Richards made his 48th appearance of the campaign on Thursday, continuing what has been a career-best year for the U.S. men’s national team centerback. The 26-year-old will now aim to win his third trophy with the club after lifting the FA Cup and Community Shield previously over the past 12 months.
He becomes the fifth USMNT player to reach a European Final joining Christian Pulisic, Zack Steffen, Clint Dempsey, and Johnny Cardoso on that list.
Crystal Palace will now turn its attention towards a home Premier League date with Everton on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Korbin Shrader scored her ninth goal of the season in Lyon’s final league win of the spring. Johnny Cardoso featured off of the bench in Atletico Madrid’s UCL second leg loss to Arsenal.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad:
Europe
UEFA Champions League
Johnny Cardoso came off the bench and played 33 minutes in Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 second leg loss to Arsenal on Wednesday. Arsenal advanced 2-1 on aggregate.
UEFA Conference League
Chris Richards started and played 90 minutes in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 second leg win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday. Crystal Palace advanced 5-2 on aggregate.
England
WSL
Emily Fox dressed but did not play in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday.
France
Premiere Ligue
Korbin Shrader started, scored ONE GOAL, and played 63 minutes in Lyon’s 3-1 win over Montpellier on Wednesday.
Lily Yohannes came off the bench, registered ONE ASSIST, and played 27 minutes for Lyon.
Lindsey Heaps came off the bench and played 27 minutes for Lyon.