Defender
Chris Richards
6'2"
Profile of USMNT defender Chris Richards. Full career stats, club history (Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim, Crystal Palace), and US Soccer Players news analysis.
Caps: 35 | Goals: 2
Chris Richards started his professional soccer career with FC Dallas in April 2018, quickly moving on loan to Bayern Munich in July. That move became permanent in January 2019. Establishing himself with Bayern Munich II during the 2019-20 3.Liga season, Richards played his first league game for Bayern Munich during the rescheduled season on June 20, 2020. Richards won his first USMNT caps during the November 2020 window. He eventually played five league games for Bayern before moving to Hoffenheim on loan during the 2021-22 season and staying with them through 2021-22. Richards completed a transfer to Premier League club Crystal Palace for the 2022-23 season. He won the 2024-25 FA Cup with the club and the 2025 Community Shield. Richards won US Soccer’s Male Player of the Year award for 2025.
Photos by ISIPhotos.com
Credit: Chris Putman - ISIPhotos.comUSMNT Experience
2026
Here is the fully reworked profile for Chris Richards, including the specific match results and starting status for his entire USMNT career as requested. SEO Metadata Title Tag: Chris Richards USMNT Profile: Stats, FA Cup Winner & Transfer News Meta Description: Complete profile of 2025 US Soccer Male Player of the Year Chris Richards. View stats for Crystal Palace & USA, including his FA Cup title and Gold Cup goals. Biography & Play Style A dominant aerial presence with elite ball-playing ability, Chris Richards has ascended to the very top of the American defensive hierarchy. From his roots in Birmingham, Alabama, to the prestigious Bayern Munich academy, Richards has always been on a rapid trajectory. Now a fixture in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, he made history in 2025 by anchoring his club to an FA Cup title and being voted the US Soccer Male Player of the Year. Known for his composure under pressure and vertical leap, Richards has become the undisputed defensive leader for the USMNT. USMNT Career Stats & Highlights 2026 Named US Soccer Male Player of the Year on January 14, becoming the second consecutive defender to win the award.
2025
Richards enjoyed the best year of his international career. He started the Concacaf Nations League Semifinal against Panama on March 20 (0-1 loss). In the summer, he was the defensive anchor for the Concacaf Gold Cup squad, starting all matches: a friendly against Turkey on June 7, the group stage opener against Trinidad & Tobago on June 15, the 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia on June 19 (where he scored), and the match against Haiti on June 22. In the knockout rounds, he started the quarterfinal against Costa Rica (June 29) and the semifinal against Guatemala (July 2). He started and scored in the Gold Cup Final against Mexico on July 6 (1-2 loss). Subbed on in the 0-2 loss to Korea on September 6 and started the 2-0 win over Japan on September 9. He maintained his starting role in October, featuring in the 1-1 draw against Ecuador (Oct 10) and the 2-1 win over Australia (Oct 14).
2024
A year of solidification saw Richards start every major tournament match he played. He started the 3-1 Nations League Semifinal win over Jamaica on March 21 and the 2-0 Final victory over Mexico on March 24, lifting the trophy. In Copa America preparation, he started against Colombia (1-5 loss, Jun 8) and Brazil (1-1 draw, Jun 12). During Copa America, he started all three Group C matches: the 2-0 win over Bolivia (Jun 23), the 1-2 loss to Panama (Jun 27), and the 0-1 loss to Uruguay (Jul 1). He closed his year starting friendlies against Canada (1-2 loss, Sep 7) and New Zealand (1-1 draw, Sep 10).
2023
Richards scored his first international goal, starting and netting the opener in the 2-0 Nations League Final win over Canada on June 18. He also started the 3-0 Semifinal win over Mexico on June 15. In the fall, he started friendlies against Uzbekistan (3-0 win, Sep 9), Oman (4-0 win, Sep 12), and Ghana (4-0 win, Oct 17), cementing his spot as the first-choice center back.
2022
Richards played a key role in World Cup Qualifying before suffering an injury. He started the 1-0 win over El Salvador on January 27 and the 0-2 loss to Canada on January 30. A hamstring injury suffered with his club ruled him out of the final roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
2021
Richards gained valuable experience in his first full year with the team. He subbed on in friendlies against Jamaica (4-1 win, Mar 25) and Northern Ireland (2-1 win, Mar 28). In World Cup Qualifying, he started the 2-1 win over Costa Rica on October 13. In the famous "Dos a Cero" against Mexico on November 12, he subbed on late to help seal the 2-0 win, and then started the 1-1 draw against Jamaica on November 16.
2020
Richards made his senior debut on November 12, subbing on in a 0-0 draw against Wales. He earned his first start four days later in a 6-2 win over Panama on November 16.
Credit: John Patrick Fletcher - APS via ZUMA Press Wire - ISIPhotos.comProfessional Experience
2025-26
Richards began the season by adding another trophy to his cabinet, starting and winning the FA Community Shield in August 2025. He remained a guaranteed starter for Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
2024-25
A historic season for the club and player. Richards played 24 Premier League games, anchoring a defense that made a magical run to Wembley. He won the FA Cup, helping Palace defeat Manchester City to claim the club's first major trophy. In the league, the Eagles secured a 12th place finish.
2023-24
Richards established himself as a Premier League regular, making 26 appearances. His versatility was on display as he logged minutes at center back and defensive midfield, helping the club finish 10th in the league.
2022-23
After moving to London from Germany, Richards spent his debut season adjusting to the English game. He made nine appearances, with his progress interrupted by a leg injury. Crystal Palace finished 11th in the Premier League.
2021-22
Richards made one appearance for Bayern Munich before returning on loan to TSG Hoffenheim for the season. He made 19 Bundesliga appearances, helping Hoffenheim finish 9th.
2020-21
Richards began the season with Bayern Munich, making three senior appearances and eight for the reserve side. In February, he joined TSG Hoffenheim on loan, where he made 11 appearances and helped the team finish 11th in the Bundesliga.
2019-20
Played in 30 games for Bayern Munich II in the 3.Liga, scoring four goals. Played one game for Bayern Munich on Jun 20 with the second-half of the season rescheduled.
Youth and College
Richards grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, before moving to Texas to join the FC Dallas academy in 2017. He signed a Homegrown Player contract in 2018 but was almost immediately loaned to Bayern Munich and began his career in Europe.
