Chris Richards played a major role in Crystal Palace’s pair of results this past week.
Richards started in back-to-back matches in Oliver Glasner’s squad as the Eagles advanced to the UEFA Conference League Final and claimed one point in Premier League play. The U.S. men’s national team centerback earned SBI Americans Abroad Player of the Week honors as he took his season appearance total up to 48.
Richards first helped the Eagles book their first trip to a European Final by logging a strong 90-minute shift at Selhurst Park. The Eagles downed Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 in semifinal second leg action, setting up a May 24 date with Rayo Vallecano.
Glasner called on Richards once again on Sunday as Crystal Palace rallied to tie Everton 2-2 in EPL play. Richards won 12 duels, made nine clearances, and one tackle as the Eagles snapped their three-match league winless run.
Crystal Palace have already sealed league safety in England’s top-flight and have a strong chance to pick up a third trophy in the last 12 months across all competitions. A healthy and in-form Richards will be expected to play a key role over the final remaining matches before joining up with the USMNT for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Here is a closer look at this week’s top Americans Abroad performances:
Ricardo Pepi
The Ricardo Pepi train looks to rolling into the FIFA World Cup.
Pepi scored his 18th goal of the season in all competitions as PSV downed Go Ahead Eagles 4-1 on Sunday. The USMNT forward has now scored in fifth-consecutive matches, continuing what has been a stellar second half of the season for the Eredivisie champions.
Pepi has one final match this season before joining up with Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
Lindsey Heaps
Lindsey Heaps helped French club Lyon complete a domestic double on Sunday.
Heaps scored her fifth goal of the campaign as Lyon defeated Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 in the Coupe De France Final. The USWNT veteran midfielder logged a full 90 minutes, helping Lyon continue its domestic dominance in France.
Now Heaps will aim to sign off on her Lyon career by helping the club capture the Women’s Champions League later this month.
Sam Adeniran
The goals have continued for American forward Sam Adeniran.
Adeniran scored for the third-match-in-a-row as LASK continued its quest to capture the Bundesliga title. He scored once in LASK’s 3-1 victory over Rapid Vienna before Adeniran also found the back of the net in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Red Bull Salzburg.
Adeniran and LASK will try to complete their title run on May 17 at Austria Vienna.
Auston Trusty
Celtic are continuing to push for the Scottish Premiership title and Auston Trusty has been a major part of their recent success.
Trusty played the full 90 minutes on Sunday in Celtic’s 3-1 derby victory over Rangers as Martin O’Neill’s squad moved one point back of league-leading Hearts. The USMNT defender has now made 38 appearances for the club in all competitions this season, one more than he made during his first campaign in Glasgow.
Trusty and Celtic will try to complete their comeback in final matches this week against Motherwell and Hearts respectively.
What did you think of this weekend’s slate of Americans Abroad action? Is there anyone else deserving of a shout on this list?
Share your thoughts below.