Crystal Palace Defender Chris Richards Tears Ankle Ligaments

Crystal Palace center-back Chris Richards sustained two torn ligaments in his ankle during a Premier League match against Brentford last weekend. The club reported discomfort after he entered the game in the 61st minute. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said on Thursday that Richards will miss the season finale against Arsenal on Sunday.

Glasner added that the defender’s status for the Conference League final on Wednesday in Leipzig is 50/50. Richards has started 45 matches across all competitions this season and logged 2,827 league minutes. After the Arsenal match, Palace will face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final, the club’s first European final in 27 years.

Glasner said Richards is receiving daily treatments to reduce swelling and that the medical staff will work to make him available. The defender has earned 13 caps for the U.S. men’s national team since the start of 2025 and was named the program’s men’s player of the year in January.

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino will announce his World Cup squad on 26 May. Richards is expected to report to camp after the Conference League final, with the team scheduled to play friendlies against Senegal on 31 May and Germany on 6 June.