This isn't what anyone associated with the USMNT wanted to see.
Starting center back Chris Richards was playing for Crystal Palace on Tuesday in a League Cup clash with Arsenal.
And with no contact, Richards crumpled to the turf. It appeared to be an injury to his lower right leg.
Richards had to be carted off.
OH NO. Prayers up for USMNT and Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards, who had to get stretchered off the pitch against Arsenal...
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) December 23, 2025
Hopefully it's nothing too serious 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Y4uzpbNo46
It sounds like an ugly injury, for sure:
Chris Richards was stretchered off for Crystal Palace after suffering a nasty cut on his foot. There was a lot of blood and they appeared to cut his boot off to treat it. He had a sheet over it as he came off.
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) December 23, 2025
Another key #USMNT player goes down with a concerning injury.
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If it's a bad outcome here, Richards' World Cup could be in jeopardy.
It'd be terrible news for the United States' chances at their home tournament in 2026, especially after Tyler Adams was recently hurt, too.
Richards is a no-doubt starter in the center of defense, and without him, things start to get a bit more dicey.
The other center backs projected in the latest ESPN big board for the USMNT's World Cup roster are Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson and Auston Trusty.
All hopes will be that Richards is OK.
If he's out long-term, though, someone is going to have to step up.
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