Dec. 24 (UPI) — United States Men’s National Team defender Chris Richards was stretchered off during a Crystal Palace loss to Arsenal, leaving his status clouded.
Richards left the field in the 75th minute of the setback Tuesday in London. Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner later told reporters that Richards sustained a foot injury. He was unsure when the defender will return to the Eagles’ lineup.
“He got a knock on his foot, a stamp on his foot, and it had to be stitched,” Glasner said. “I don’t know how many stitches, but a few.
“The doctor told me it doesn’t look so bad. I’m always hopeful. We have to be hopeful. I don’t know if he will be OK for the Tottenham game, but I’m still hoping that he will be back against Fulham.”
The Eagles (7-5-5) sit in eighth place in the Premier League Standings. They will take on 14th place Tottenham Hotspur (6-7-4) on Sunday in London. The Eagles will meet 13th place Fulham (7-8-2) on Jan. 1 in London.
Richards is the second United States Men’s National Team player in as many weeks to sustain an injury less than six months before the World Cup. American midfielder Tyler Adams tore the medial collateral ligament in his left knee during Bournemouth’s 4-4 draw with Manchester United on Dec. 15 in Manchester, England.
He is expected to miss two or three months of action due to that injury. The final U.S. roster for the 2026 World Cup is expected to be announced in May.
Richards, 25, joined Crystal Palace in 2022. He previous played for Bayern Munich and on loan with TSG Hoffenheim. Richards made 35 appearances for the U.S. senior team since 2020.
Richards missed the 2022 World Cup after he sustained a leg injury while playing for Crystal Palace.
The Spurs and Eagles will meet for their Premier League battle at 11:30 a.m. EST Sunday at Selhurst Park.
