Richards ready for USMNT opener vs Paraguay
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- Richards said he is “ready” to play against Paraguay in the U.S. World Cup opener on Friday.
- Richards missed the U.S. men’s national team’s two pre‑World Cup friendlies after spraining his ankle.
- Pochettino expressed annoyance at the information from Crystal Palace and noted that Richards’s rehab was longer than expected.
- Richards estimated his rehab took about two to three weeks, matching his expectations for recovery time.
- Richards said he feels no functional limitation and can perform at 100 % despite some swelling.
- USMNT is widely believed to be defensively stronger when Richards is on the pitch, and he hopes to be selected for the match.
Why it matters: Richards’s clearance to start bolsters the U.S. defense, which analysts say performs better with him on the field, giving coach Mauricio Pochettino a full‑strength backline for the crucial Paraguay opener while preserving the team’s tactical stability and reducing the risk of defensive lapses that could cost the United States a win.