Chris Richards
Richards with the United States U20 in 2019
Personal information
Full name Christopher Jeffrey Richards[1]
Date of birth (2000-03-28) March 28, 2000 (age 23)
Place of birth Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Position(s) Center-back, defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Crystal Palace
Number 26
Youth career
2016–2017 Texans SC Houston
2017–2019 FC Dallas
2018–2019 → Bayern Munich (loan)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2021 Bayern Munich II 38 (4)
2020–2022 Bayern Munich 5 (0)
2021 → 1899 Hoffenheim (loan) 11 (0)
2021–2022 → 1899 Hoffenheim (loan) 19 (1)
2022– Crystal Palace 23 (0)
International career‡
2018–2019 United States U20 12 (1)
2019 United States U23 2 (0)
2020– United States 14 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of February 3, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of October 17, 2023

Christopher Jeffrey Richards (born March 28, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center-back or defensive midfielder for Premier League club Crystal Palace and the United States national team.

A youth player for FC Dallas in his home country, Richards began his professional career with Bundesliga club Bayern Munich, initially playing for the club's reserve team. After loan spells at 1899 Hoffenheim, he was signed by Crystal Palace in 2022.

A former youth player for his country, Richards received his first senior call-up for the United States in 2020, winning the CONCACAF Nations League in 2023 after scoring in the final.

Club career

FC Dallas

Richards was raised in Hoover, Alabama, and played youth soccer for Hoover SC. In 2016, he was cut from a trial with FC Dallas Academy and instead joined Texans SC in Houston.[3] He then joined FC Dallas Academy in 2017.[4]

On April 12, 2018, he signed a professional contract with FC Dallas.[5]

Bayern Munich

In May 2018, Richards, with his FC Dallas colleague Thomas Roberts, went to a 10-day trial at FC Bayern Munich as part of an agreement between the two clubs.[6] As a result of his performance during the trial, in July he was offered a one-year loan with the German club.[7]

On July 21, 2018, Richards debuted for the Bayern senior team at the 2018 International Champions Cup, replacing Sandro Wagner in the 62nd minute of the 3–1 win against Paris Saint-Germain F.C.[8] During the 2018–19 season, he spent time with Bayern München U19s, becoming a team regular starter and being praised for his aerial abilities and his passing skills.[9] On January 19, 2019, Richards signed a $1.5 million permanent contract with FC Bayern Munich.[9][10] On August 19, 2019, he made his professional debut when he started for FC Bayern Munich II at the 3. Liga in a 2–1 away win against Hallescher FC.[11] He made 30 appearances and scoring 4 goals for Bayern II in a team that won the 3. Liga.[12]

On June 20, 2020, Richards made his Bundesliga debut in a 3–1 victory over Freiburg.[13] On September 18, he made his first appearance of the 2020–21 Bundesliga season in Bayern's opening match against Schalke 04.[14] He made his first start for Bayern against Hertha BSC on October 4, in which he assisted a Robert Lewandowski goal in the 51st minute of a 4–3 win.[15]

On November 25, 2020, Richards made his UEFA Champions League debut for Bayern in a 3–1 victory over Red Bull Salzburg. He left the game in the 79th minute when he was replaced by Javi Martínez.[16]

Loan to Hoffenheim

On February 1, 2021, Richards joined the Bundesliga side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on loan for the remainder of the season.[17]

Crystal Palace

Richards signed a five-year contract with Crystal Palace on July 27, 2022, after being transferred from Bayern Munich for a €12 million fee.[18]

International career

In January 2018, Richards was called for the MNT Youth National Team Summit Camp, which gathered 153 players from U16, U17, U18, U19 and U20 Youth National Teams.[19][20] In May 2018, he made his debut for the United States U20 team in a match against Honduras. On November 12, 2018, Richards was called for the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship as one of the three replacements allowed before the beginning of the "Qualification Stage".[19][21] He, then, started in two of the tournament's three remaining matches, including the final, a 2–0 win, against Mexico.[22][19] On May 10, 2019, he was included by the coach Tab Ramos in the 21-man squad called to represent the United States at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[19][23] Richards started all of the five matches that the Americans played in the tournament, including the 3–2 win against the heavy favorites, France. Richards played the entire game in all but one of the matches (that against Nigeria).[24]

He received his first call up to the senior United States squad for matches against Wales and Panama in November 2020.[25] He made his national team debut as a late substitute against Panama.[26] Richards scored his first goal for his country on 18 June 2023, scoring the first goal of United States' 2–0 win against Canada in the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League final.[27]

Personal life

Richards' father, Ken Richards, played college basketball at Birmingham–Southern College and later professionally in Australia, Bolivia and Iceland.[28]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played February 3, 2024[29]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bayern Munich II 2019–20 3. Liga 30 4 — — — — 30 4
2020–21 8 0 — — — — 8 0
Total 38 4 — — — — 38 4
Bayern Munich 2019–20 Bundesliga 1 0 — — — — 1 0
2020–21 3 0 — — 3[c] 0 1[d] 0 7 0
2021–22 1 0 1 0 — — — 2 0
Total 5 0 1 0 — 3 0 1 0 10 0
1899 Hoffenheim (loan)[e] 2020–21 Bundesliga 11 0 — — 2[f] 0 — 13 0
2021–22 19 1 2 0 — — — 21 1
Total 30 1 2 0 — 2 0 — 34 1
Crystal Palace 2022–23 Premier League 9 0 — 1 0 — – 10 0
2023–24 14 0 2 0 2 0 — – 18 0
Total 23 0 2 0 3 0 — — 28 0
Career total 96 5 5 0 3 0 5 0 1 0 110 5
  1. ^ Includes DFB-Pokal and FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. ^ Appearance in DFL-Supercup
  5. ^ Represents two separate loans for the 2020–21 and 2021–22 respective seasons.
  6. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played October 17, 2023[30]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
United States 2020 1 0
2021 5 0
2022 2 0
2023 6 1
Total 14 1
Scores and results list the United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Richards goal.
List of international goals scored by Chris Richards
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 June 18, 2023 Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, United States 10  Canada 1–0 2–0 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Final

Honors

Bayern Munich

United States U20

United States

Individual

References

  1. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019: List of Players: USA" (PDF). FIFA. June 13, 2019. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 6, 2020.
  2. ^ "Chris Richards: Overview". Premier League. Archived from the original on July 31, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  3. ^ Stejskal, Sam. "The remarkable rise of Chris Richards". The Athletic. Archived from the original on July 30, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  4. ^ "Richards catches FC Dallas and USMNT attention". Chasing a Cup. May 3, 2020. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  5. ^ "FC Dallas Signs Defender Chris Richards as 22nd Homegrown Player". FC Dallas. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  6. ^ "Bayern Munich to welcome two FC Dallas youngsters". Bundesliga. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  7. ^ "Chris Richards: Who is Bayern Munich's young American?". Bundesliga. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  8. ^ "Bayern Munich come from behind to defeat Paris Saint-Germain". Bundesliga. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Galarcep, Ives. "Sources: Chris Richards completes $1.5 million move to Bayern Munich". Goal. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "Chris Richards completes permanent Bayern Munich switch". Bundesliga. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
    - "FC Bayern signs American Chris Richards from FC Dallas". FC Bayern. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
    - Gonzalez, Roger (February 15, 2019). "Bayern Munich's rising prospect Chris Richards is setting his sights on becoming an household name for American soccer". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  11. ^ "Hallescher FC 1 – 2 Bayern München II". Soccerway. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  12. ^ "C. Richards". Soccerway. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  13. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (June 20, 2020). "FC Dallas product Chris Richards makes Bayern Munich first-team debut". MLS. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  14. ^ Gonzalez, Roger (September 18, 2020). "Bayern Munich-Schalke score: Serge Gnabry's side nets 8 goals in Bundesliga opener; Chris Richards makes debut". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  15. ^ "Bayern Munich 4 - 3 Hertha Berlin". ESPN. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  16. ^ Veth, Manuel (November 26, 2020). "Chris Richards Makes Champions League Debut As Bayern Make It 15 From 15". Forbes. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
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  18. ^ "Crystal Palace sign Chris Richards on five-year deal". Crystal Palace F.C. July 27, 2022. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  19. ^ a b c d "Player Bio – Chris Richards". United States Soccer Federation. Archived from the original on May 15, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
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  22. ^ "United States 2 x 0 Mexico". CONCACAF. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
    - "Honduras 0 x 1 United States". CONCACAF. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  23. ^ "Tab Ramos Names USA Roster for 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland". United States Soccer Federation. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  24. ^ Sousa, Justin (June 9, 2019). "Chris Richards bows out of U-20 World Cup with a strong set of performances". Bavarian Football Works. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
    - "USA 1–0 Qatar". FIFA. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
    - "USA 2–0 Nigeria". FIFA. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
    - "Ukraine 2–1 USA". FIFA. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
    - "USA 1–2 Ecuador". FIFA. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
    - "France 2–3 USA". FIFA. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
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  26. ^ "Goal-Scoring Outbursts Fuel Young USMNT Past Panama 6–2 in Austria". US Soccer. November 16, 2020. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  27. ^ Tannenwald, Jonathan (June 19, 2023). "Five takeaways on the USMNT's Concacaf Nations League final win over Canada". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  28. ^ Ingvi Þór Sæmundsson (November 26, 2020). "Faðir leikmanns Bayern lék körfubolta á Íslandi" [The Bayern player's father played basketball in Iceland]. Vísir.is (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
    -"The journey of Chris Richards, Part 1: The evolution Bayern Munich's newest prospect". SB Nation. February 4, 2019. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  29. ^ Chris Richards at Soccerway. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  30. ^ Chris Richards at National-Football-Teams.com
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  35. ^ "U.S. beats Canada to win Nations League as Balogun opens account". ESPN. June 18, 2023. Archived from the original on June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
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  37. ^ "Turner, Reyna and David lead way in CNL Finals Best XI". CONCACAF. June 19, 2023. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chris Richards (soccer player).
Crystal Palace F.C. – current squad
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