Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards was in action for USA against Ecuador on Saturday, as the two American nations drew 1-1 in a friendly match.
USA are already qualified for next summer’s World Cup and Crystal Palace player Chris Richards looks set to star for the USMNT under Mauricio Pochettino.
But results for the US are proving to be mixed right now: in their last three games, all of which being friendlies, the States have won one, drawn one, and lost one.
The USA were beaten by South Korea in September before then winning against Japan, following that up with a draw against Ecuador on Saturday, with a game against Australia up next.
Chris Richards started the game against Ecuador. Richards also started for Crystal Palace in the 2-1 defeat against Everton before the break, having played and started seven times in the Premier League this season.
US media mixed after Chris Richards display
The stats bode very well for Richards against Ecuador: he made 12 defensive actions during the game which was four more than any other player, as well as having more touches of the ball than anyone and completing more passes than anyone else too.
But some deem Richards to be at fault for Enner Valencia’s goal on 24 minutes. The veteran former Everton and West Ham striker, now aged 35, had Richards spinning around as he turned him, out-paced him and finished beyond goalkeeper Matthew Freese.
GOAL gave Richards a 5/10 rating, writing: “A rare miscue from him in a USMNT shirt. He was so close to recovering from it, too, but just couldn’t quite push Valencia wide enough to make the difference on the goal.”
NBC were kinder on Richards. They gave him a 7/10 rating: “Some questioned his read of Valencia’s direction on the goal but the striker’s touch was clever and Richards recovered to push him to a tougher angle. Played his game while on a yellow and did well in the Ecuador third, too. Piled up a game-best 12 defensive contributions.”
And Sports Illustrated were impressed too, giving Richards a 7.5/10 rating and adding: “Richards is all but a guaranteed starter at the World Cup.”
- READ MORE: Yeremy Pino says Crystal Palace player would walk into the Spain team, he ‘can do everything’
How Chris Richards’ Crystal Palace stats compare vs Guehi and Lacroix
Oliver Glasner has settled on a back three of Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi and Richards who is one of the most-improved players under Glasner.
The trio have played every minute of every Premier League game so far this season, with Palace keeping three clean sheets in seven and boasting the second best defensive record in the league with five goals conceded.
And Richards is more than holding his own in a defensive trio proving to be one of the best in the Premier League and indeed in Europe this season.
| Stat (Per match, PL in 25/26) | Guehi | Lacroix | Richards |
| Passes | 46.4 | 37.3 | 29 |
| Long balls | 2.3 | 2.1 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| Clearances | 5 | 6.1 | 5.9 |
| Tackles | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.3 |
Richards may be a key man for Pochettino and USA next summer given he’s one of the Premier League players in the side and part of a Palace team who could win some silverware this season.
USA’s friendly against Australia kicks off at 2am GMT on Wednesday, with Crystal Palace returning to action against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday at 3pm.
