Chris Richards gives USMNT a World Cup scare with bloody ankle injury

American center back Chris Richards gave the United States Men’s National Team a bit of a scare after having to be stretchered off the field late in the second half of Crystal Palace’s EFL Cup loss to Arsenal on Tuesday. 

The U.S. already received some tough news this month about another star player, and Richards’ early exit on Tuesday was gnarly and confusing enough that it had some American soccer fans fearing the worst.

However, after the match, Palace boss Oliver Glasner indicated that it didn’t seem to be as severe as at first glance.

Richards appeared to have been hurt while jumping to defend a cross into the penalty area and was in discomfort after he had landed. The 25-year-old didn’t seem to make contact with any other player near him on the play. 

Defender Chris Richards receives medical treatment during the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace. AFP via Getty Images

The broadcast showed Richards motioning toward the team trainers before going down to the ground. Crystal Palace’s medical team treated him on the field. 

Richards’ right shoe was taken off, and multiple reports mentioned seeing blood on his sock. 

The Guardian’s Ed Aarons reported that Richards was using crutches when he returned to watch the penalty shootout between Crystal Palace and Arsenal. 

Richards was replaced by Will Hughes in the 75th minute after he was taken off the pitch on a stretcher. 

“The doctor told me it doesn’t look so bad, so let’s see if he can face Tottenham on Sunday,” Glasner told reporters.

Crystal Palace’s US defender Chris Richards is carried off on a stretcher. AFP via Getty Images

Any significant injury to the center back would be a blow for both Palace and the USMNT, which he is expected to feature prominently for Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT squad during next summer’s World Cup. 

Richards missed out on playing in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to a hamstring injury. 

Should the issue be a serious one, it would be the second bit of bad news that American soccer fans have received recently. 

American star Tyler Adams tore his MCL in Bournemouth’s Premier League match against Manchester United on Dec. 15, and he is expected to miss the next 2-3 weeks as a result of the recovery.