Chris Richards: From FA Cup Glory to USMNT Leadership

For those unfamiliar with Crystal Palace, the significance of the FA Cup victory is difficult to convey. Generations of supporters had never witnessed their club claim a substantial trophy, a situation that was rectified in a momentous match at Wembley this past May.

Richards shared his insights with GOAL, stating, “People keep asking me what the best part of winning the cup was. I think it was what it meant to the generations of Palace fans. I love winning trophies—who doesn’t? But seeing 80-year-old fans in the crowd, crying tears of joy because even their parents had never seen Palace win a major trophy, made it profoundly meaningful.”

He continued, “At clubs like City or Liverpool, victories may not carry the same weight. But for us at Palace, achieving something for the first time, especially in the manner we did, was simply perfect.”

Richards played a pivotal role on that historic day. After Palace scored early in the match with an Eberechi Eze goal, Richards and the defense held firm against the formidable Manchester City attack, led by Erling Haaland. Their resilience ultimately brought tears of joy to the loyal Palace supporters.

Months later, the team celebrated again by winning the Community Shield, triumphing over Premier League champions Liverpool. These victories were monumental not only for the club but also for Richards, who demonstrated his capabilities in high-stakes matches against top-tier opponents. He was the only Palace player to complete every minute of their FA Cup campaign.

Shortly after this triumph, Richards rejoined the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he made a significant impact despite the absence of several star players. He started all six matches, netting two crucial goals, including one that secured a group stage win against Saudi Arabia and another in the final against Mexico, although the U.S. ultimately fell short.

Reflecting on that loss, Richards said, “Everyone grieves differently. Personally, it hurt, but perhaps it was necessary for growth. We won’t lose any more finals against Mexico. I discarded my silver medal; it serves no purpose. As a nation and as individuals, we strive for greatness, and that’s exactly what we intend to do moving forward.”

At the start of the 2024-25 season, Crystal Palace assistant coach Paddy McCarthy had a pivotal conversation with Richards, probing his ambitions. “He asked me, ‘What do you want to achieve? Do you want to captain your country? Do you want to play in the World Cup, or do you simply want to be another player on the roster?’ I realized I wanted more, but I had to prove it.”

This conversation clearly resonated with Richards, who, alongside teammates Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi, formed an impressive defensive trio that propelled Palace to new heights. He participated in 24 Premier League matches, solidifying his status as an elite center-back.

Though the Gold Cup remains a standout highlight, Richards has continued to excel with the USMNT. Upon returning to the team, he quickly reestablished himself as a cornerstone player, contributing to wins against Japan, Ecuador, and Australia while remaining unbeaten in the matches he started.

Richards emphasized the necessity of competitiveness and intensity, stating, “We may have lost that edge recently, but we want to ensure that beating us requires effort. We are not a team to be taken lightly. We stand united, and that’s something we will never compromise on.”

Heading into the summer, Richards set personal goals to embrace his leadership role authentically. “I want to be a leader in my own way, regardless of who is on the World Cup roster. I entered this summer with the confidence to assert, ‘I will earn my place, and I aim to be a captain.’ This has been my primary objective.”

His commitment to leadership has not gone unnoticed by his teammates. Tim Ream remarked, “Chris Richards has stepped up vocally, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and positioned correctly. This establishes a solid foundation for our team and will benefit newcomers in the future.”

With Richards’ growth as a player and leader, the USMNT is undoubtedly stronger. Having recently received the Player of the Year award, he has solidified his importance to the team as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.