U.S. Men’s National Team defender Chris Richards is dealing with a serious ankle injury just three weeks before the start of the World Cup.
Richards, 26, was playing for club team Crystal Palace against Brentford on Sunday when he twisted his left ankle and sustained two torn ligaments, according to manager Oliver Glasner.
“He tore two ligaments in his ankle,” Glasner said on Thursday, per The Athletic. “I think it’s stable, but quite swollen, and we have to deal with the swelling. He has to get back on the pitch to be available, and it takes time.
“He is in from sunrise until sunset having treatments and everything we can do that reduces the swelling, and of course we have a great medical department, so we will give our best and he will give his best — and then let’s see if we can get it done.”
Richards has been ruled out for Crystal Palace’s regular-season finale Sunday against Premier League champion Arsenal.
Glasner said it was “50-50” whether Richards will be available for next Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.
Richards has earned 36 caps and scored three goals for the United States. He captained the squad in its most recent friendly, a 2-0 loss to Portugal on March 31 in Atlanta.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino will reveal his U.S. World Cup roster on May 26. The tournament co-hosts are in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and Turkey. The Americans open against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
–Field Level Media
