The U.S. men's national team received more bad news on Tuesday when defender Chris Richards sustained a foot injury while playing for Crystal Palace in London.
Fortunately for Richards, Crystal Palace and the USMNT, it appears the ailment isn't serious.
Going up to defend a 73rd-minute cross from Arsenal in a Carabao Cup quarterfinal game, Richards was hurt on the landing. Following two minutes of treatment, Richards was removed from the pitch on a stretcher.
Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner said
postgame, "He had a knock on his foot, (someone) stamped on his foot and it had to be stitched. The doctor told me it doesn't look so bad. I'm always hopeful and we have to be hopeful."
Glasner added that Richards is doubtful for the team's Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, adding, "But I'm still hoping he will be back for the Fulham game (on Jan. 1) because we have 16 outfield players and we can't afford to miss someone else."
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, and Arsenal advanced to the semifinals with an 8-7 win in a penalty shootout.
Richards' injury comes one week after USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams sustained a torn medial collateral ligament in a Premier League match for Bournemouth against Manchester United. Adams is likely to miss two to three months.
Richards, a 25-year-old Alabama native, made five appearances for Bayern Munich before joining Crystal Palace in 2022. He helped the London-based club capture the FA Cup last spring.
For the national team, Richards has three goals in 35 appearances.
The full USMNT is next in action for friendly matches vs. Belgium on March 28 and vs. Portugal on March 31, both in Atlanta. The USMNT opens World Cup play vs. Paraguay on June 12 at Inglewood, Calif.
--Field Level Media
