Chris Richards has been left out of the United States squad for their high-profile friendly against Germany, raising fresh questions over his fitness status and whether he will be ready in time for the upcoming World Cup.
The Crystal Palace defender, who has become an increasingly important figure for both club and country, is currently working his way back from a serious ankle injury sustained towards the end of the Premier League season. Richards suffered torn ligament damage in May and has only recently resumed limited training sessions, rather than full-contact work with the national team.
Despite travelling with the USMNT camp and being assessed by the medical staff, Richards was not deemed fit enough to be included in the matchday squad for the clash with Germany. The decision is understood to be precautionary, with coaches unwilling to risk aggravating an injury that has already sidelined him for several weeks.
US head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been carefully managing the situation, stressing that Richards is still in the rehabilitation phase and not yet ready for the intensity of international competition. While the defender has shown encouraging signs in training, he is still short of full match sharpness, particularly in terms of acceleration, tackling under pressure and sustained defensive duels.
His absence comes as a blow to the USMNT’s defensive plans, with Richards widely expected to play a key role in the build-up to the tournament. His pace, physical presence and ability to play out from the back have made him one of the more trusted centre-back options in the squad when fully fit.
The bigger question now is whether Richards will be ready for the World Cup itself. At this stage, the answer remains cautiously optimistic rather than definitive. Medical staff are confident that his recovery is progressing in the right direction, but his return will depend heavily on how his ankle responds to increased training loads over the coming weeks.
The US camp is expected to continue monitoring him closely, with a gradual reintegration plan likely to be followed. That could involve limited minutes in upcoming friendlies or controlled training environments before any decision is made on tournament selection.
For now, Richards remains part of the wider squad conversation, but not yet guaranteed a place in the final competitive setup. Much will depend on timing. If his rehabilitation continues without setbacks, he could still be in contention for the World Cup squad. However, any recurrence of discomfort would almost certainly place his participation in serious doubt.
What is clear is that both Crystal Palace and the USMNT are taking no risks at this stage of his recovery, with long-term fitness and tournament readiness considered far more important than rushing him back for immediate fixtures.
