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'It's the World Cup': Chris Richards is back just in time for USMNT

United States defender Chris Richards. Scott Coleman-Imagn Images

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'It's the World Cup': Chris Richards is back just in time for USMNT

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated Jun 10, 2026 4:35 PM ET

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IRVINE, CA — When coach Mauricio Pochettino began the United States Men's National Team's World Cup preparations in Atlanta in late May, he had one simple mission: keep everyone happy and healthy.

"Zero risk? Impossible," Pochettino said of his team's preparations. "But if it's possible to arrive to zero, we will do it. The objective is to compete, and compete well, but not take risks."

Mission accomplished. On Wednesday, the team's last remaining injured player—defender Chris Richards, who suffered torn ligaments in his ankle just a few weeks ago—declared himself ready for competition.

"I'm ready," Richards said. "I mean, it's the World Cup, so I'll make myself ready regardless. I'm feeling good, maybe a little swollen, but nothing tape can't help."

The announcement, delivered with Richards's trademark smile, capped off a frankly stellar training camp for the USMNT. Pochettino's men accomplished everything they needed to: they healed themselves where they could, put in strong performances against Senegal and Germany and developed the kind of chemistry that carries teams through difficult periods. Richards's long-awaited return was the final piece of the team's preparation puzzle.

Two days from our #FIFAWorldCup opener. ✌️

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— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@usmnt.ussoccer.com) June 10, 2026 at 11:35 AM

"We have enough time between the games where I can get some recovery in," Richards added. "For me, if I'm able to start on Friday [against Paraguay], it's not going to put the rest of the tournament in jeopardy."

USMNT's journey leading up to the World Cup

The USMNT entered this camp on a wave of controversy. A poor showing against Belgium (lost 2-5) and Portugal (lost 0-2) in March derailed the momentum the team built in the back half of 2025. An early leak of the USMNT's World Cup roster—featuring just three traditional midfielders and no sign of fan favorite Diego Luna—led to frustration within the fan base, and reports of Pochettino's lack of communication with rejected players led to outrage. When the team arrived at New York City's Pier 17 on May 26 to kick off its World Cup journey, the whole thing felt more like an autopsy than a celebration.

The way Pochettino and his staff have turned this attitude around is remarkable. Nothing has changed—the roster is still the roster, Pochettino's communication methods remain controversial, and no one, not even returning hero Richards, knows whether they'll start for the USMNT against Paraguay—but the energy within the camp has gone from grim to glorious.

Much of the conversation around the USMNT centers around its tactics, but the turnaround of the team's public perception came down to attitude and mentality instead. Pochettino's relentless focus on the "soft skills" of the game has been the engine driving the team's forward progress—and his players agree.

"I don’t think any of these tune-up games are about tactics, you know what I mean?" said midfielder Tyler Adams after the team's hard-fought match against Germany in Chicago on the 6th of June. "We’ve trained together, we’ve played together, we’ve worked under Mauricio for a year and a half now. We understand the tactics... It has to be about the mentality."

It does—and that mentality has never been better.

The USMNT will kick off its FIFA World Cup journey on Friday against Paraguay in Inglewood, California.

Alyssa Clang

Alyssa is a Boston-born Californian with a passion for global sport. She can yell about misplaced soccer passes in five languages and rattle off the turns of Silverstone in her sleep. You can find her dormant Twitter account at @alyssaclang, but honestly, you’re probably better off finding her here

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