Chris Richards trained with the U.S. men’s national team on June 5 but will miss the Saturday friendly against Germany as he recovers from a left-ankle injury. Coach Mauricio Pochettino said the decision is medical, and the U.S. will open the World Cup against
CHICAGO — Chris Richards showed up at Endeavor Health Performance Center on Friday, June 5, and for a moment the ankle looked like it might cooperate.
The center back, who tore two ligaments in his left ankle during a Premier League game for Crystal Palace on May 17, trained with the U.S. men’s national team. He wasn’t limping, his ankle didn’t appear bandaged, and he smiled often as he chatted with teammates.
But by the time Mauricio Pochettino addressed the session, it was clear the U.S. won’t get him for the next step. Richards will miss the U.S. men’s national team game against Germany on Saturday, June 6.
“He’s still not ready to compete and to play,” Pochettino said ahead of the training session. “We have the next few days to assess him … and then make a decision.”
Pochettino added, “Maybe if it’s the final of the World Cup he can play.” Then he delivered the line that matters most for fans who want certainty. “But the advice of the medical [team] is that he doesn’t play.”
U.S. teams can replace players on the 26-man roster for injury or illness until 24 hours before their first match. The U.S. men’s national team opens the World Cup against Paraguay on June 12.
Richards was one of the first players on the field for training at the Chicago Fire’s practice facility. where he worked through warm-up drills with a group that included Tim Ream. Sergino Dest and Mark McKenzie. along with midfielders Malik Tillman and Weston McKennie. and forwards Ricardo Pepi and Alejandro Zendejas. During warm-ups, he did light running and cutting.
Weston McKennie spoke to Richards’ progress before training. saying. “Chris Richards is on the right path to coming back and being completely with the squad. He’s an important piece of the group (with) his energy, his leadership on and off the field. So. obviously. we’re just all behind him and can’t wait for him to have him back now with the group.”.
On the field and off it. Richards’ role is why the missed Germany match lands as more than a routine bump in the schedule. He’s described as a locked-in starter at a position where the team has very little depth. Pochettino’s decision leaves the U.S. to adjust plans for the friendly—just days before the World Cup begins.
The situation has already forced Richards to step back at key moments. He was available off the bench for Crystal Palace’s UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano, but did not play. He also missed the U.S. men’s national team game against Senegal on Sunday, May 31.
Pochettino did not say how close Richards is to returning, but the fact that Richards was included on the final 26-man roster is treated as a sign that recovery remains possible within the tournament timeline.
The U.S. men’s national team next plays Germany on June 6 in Chicago. The World Cup schedule then has the team facing Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California; Australia on June 19 at Lumen Field in Seattle; and Turkey on June 25 at SoFi Stadium.
Every training day between now and kickoff carries weight. For Richards, Friday’s work at the facility looked like the start of a return. Saturday’s absence will feel like the reminder that, even when the ankle looks better, medical advice still runs the clock.
Chris Richards USMNT Germany friendly Mauricio Pochettino World Cup 2026 Paraguay ankle injury Crystal Palace Premier League UEFA Conference League
So he just… doesn’t play? Cool cool.
I feel like this is just PR like “medical decision” 🙄 If he trained and wasn’t limping on Friday then why not toss him in for Germany? World Cup games are what matter, not a tune-up.
Wait it says he tore two ligaments May 17 and then he smiles and trains June 5 and still “not ready.” That doesn’t really add up to me. Also CHICAGO?? Paraguay?? I’m lost lol.
“Maybe if it’s the final of the World Cup he can play” like what does that even mean. If the medical team said no then why let him train at all. Sounds like they’re keeping him for the opening match but also talking like he might not be ready. I just want them to be honest.