Pochettino says USMNT’s Richards to miss Germany friendly with World Cup decision looming | OneFootball

Chris Richards faces a World Cup race against time after Mauricio Pochettino confirmed the USMNT centre-back will miss Saturday’s send-off against Germany in Chicago.

According to NY Times, Pochettino said: "He’s not ready to compete and to play." He previously stayed on the bench for Crystal Palace’s UEFA Conference League final victory over Rayo Vallecano on 27 May and missed Sunday’s 3-2 win over Senegal.

Richards was named in the 26-man squad on 26 May, with official rosters filed on 1 June. Injury replacements are permitted up to 24 hours before a team’s opener. The USMNT play Paraguay in Los Angeles on 12 June, making the deadline 9pm ET on 11 June.

He injured an ankle on 17 May playing for Crystal Palace. Friday brought his first ball work with the group. "Maybe if tomorrow was the final of the World Cup he could play, but the advice of the medical team was to not play," Pochettino said.

Pochettino expressed frustration at the information he received, saying the squad was built on the belief Richards could feature in the Conference League final and perhaps against Senegal, but timelines kept slipping. He added that carrying an unready player into the tournament would force a difficult call.

Richards is a key part of the back line and, if fit, would be expected to play extensively. He was called into six camps and started 12 games under Pochettino. He missed the 2022 World Cup through injury and team-mates hope he can return.

Source: NY Times