Chris Richards nearing full fitness for USMNT World Cup opener

If it was up to Chris Richards, he’d be in the lineup when the United States opens Group D action against Paraguay.

The center-back is among the most important players on the squad, the clear lead defender among a deep corps of options. When he exited Crystal Palace’s second-to-last Premier League fixture with an ankle injury, anxiety spiked that Mauricio Pochettino’s side would enter the tournament without their bedrock. Richards was as tense as anybody, admitting his ankle was so swollen after the hit that he braced for the worst – again.

Since Monday, he’s been a full participant in practice. It’s an open question whether he’ll start the opener or be held out for preservation.

“Once I got the diagnosis. I was like, all right, cool. Whatever it takes, I have to make it for this first game,” Richards told the media on Wednesday. “I think the first time I really realized that I could be 100% for Friday was probably last week. It was a lot of massages, a lot of ice, a lot of compression, things like that. Once I was finally on the pitch, it felt good, and I think that was the main thing. I can play with pain as long as functionally, I’m good.”

The waiting period was understandably tense. As well as the considerable swelling, Richards had a transatlantic flight which he admits may have complicated his recovery timeline.

Having missed the 2022 World Cup with a hamstring injury, it was difficult not to revisit familiar feelings of possibly missing out on a hard-earned career milestone.

“When I first came out with the injury, I was pretty devastated,” Richards said. And I was honestly fearing the worst, but I kind of forced myself back on the pitch to prove to myself that it was doable. Once I found out the diagnosis, it was all right. How do I get ready for this game against Paraguay?”

Richards was one of 10 defenders selected on Pochettino’s squad, but projects to start at the heart of the backline. His ability to muscle opponents off the ball is unparalleled in the pool, helping the others organize while clarifying roles for the rest of the defense.

“I think we have a really good group of center-backs, called CBU,” said fellow center-back Mark McKenzie. “We’ve got a good range of experience, both at the international level and the club level, but we also shared this opportunity now with the national team for a number of years now, in a way. I think all that time together has built a really strong group. We have a lot of chemistry, and then on the field, it just helps with understanding each other’s tendencies, habits, routines, whatever it is to help offset any moments, [and] be able to manage different situations in the games.”

Neither Richards nor McKenzie played in the US’s 2-1 win over Paraguay in a November friendly, played mere weeks before the American nations were drawn into the same group. Both teams have had plenty of time since December’s draw to revisit that tape while closely monitoring each other’s subsequent performances to get a sense of what’s to come.

Richards’ return to selectable status will be an unwelcome development for Paraguay, who enter this game without one of their own most important players, creator Julio Enciso. His absence could mean Paraguay retreats a bit more to fortify tactically in hopes of claiming a crucial result against a host team facing immense pressure.

“If you can start off the World Cup with three points – not just for our confidence, but also to show the group that we want to be the top dogs in this group, and we’ll be the top dogs in this World Cup,” Richards said. “I think with a statement hopefully on Friday and three points, I think that’ll definitely set the tone for the World Cup.”

It’s an opportunity Richards has worked incredibly hard to keep in range, allowing him to play in a World Cup at last.

“I’m experiencing these things for the first time, and it’s very exciting,” Richards said. “I think the last few weeks were very intense, and now it’s time to just hone in on what we do best, and hopefully get some good results.