USMNT Injury Blow: Chris Richards Tears Two Ankle Ligaments — 50/50 for May 26 Roster Announcement

US Men's National Team central defender Chris Richards — named the 2025 US Soccer Male Player of the Year — tore two ligaments in his left ankle in a club match and is in a race against time to be considered for Mauricio Pochettino's 26-player World Cup roster announcement on May 26. Medical sources cited by ESPN rated Richards 50/50 for the announcement, with fitness for the opening Group D match vs. Paraguay (June 12, SoFi Stadium Los Angeles) uncertain. Richards had been considered a near-certain selection and a key figure in a US defensive unit that conceded seven goals in back-to-back losses to Belgium (2–5, March 28) and Portugal (0–2, March 31). The injury compounds the USMNT's pre-tournament fitness concerns: Patrick Agyemang (ruptured Achilles) was already confirmed out in April. Pochettino is finalizing a back-four that may now need to rely heavily on Antonee Robinson (returned from long injury absence in March), Kristoffer Lann, and Joe Scally for defensive cover. Pochettino's announcement is in four days — May 26, live event at The Rooftop at Pier 17, New York City, on FOX — followed by the May 31 Senegal friendly in Charlotte. Group D: USA vs. Paraguay (June 12, LA), Kosovo (June 16, Dallas), Australia (June 21, NRG Houston). 20 days to kickoff.