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USA duo makes history in sensational Palace win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Crispin Leyser | Last updated May 17, 2025 4:22 PM ET

Crystal Palace stunned Manchester City in the FA Cup Final today, winning the first trophy in their 164-year history prompting emotional scenes at the final whistle.

❤️ Crystal Palace win the first major trophy in their history! pic.twitter.com/z9R0rmxCwe
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 17, 2025

It was a historic day too for Crystal Palace's American duo of defender Chris Richards and goalkeeper Matt Turner.

While Turner was forced to watch Dean Henderson's heroics from the bench, Richards was one of the heroes of the day prompting an immediate reaction from USMNT.

WHAT A PERFORMANCE FROM CHRIS RICHARDS TO HELP CRYSTAL PALACE WIN THE FA CUP AGAINST MAN CITY pic.twitter.com/nF7juQsFDd
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) May 17, 2025

In the modern era the only other American to triumph in the FA Cup is Tim Howard who won it twice with Manchester United in 2003 and 2004.

Before that, as I'm sure we all remember, came Julian Sturgis. He was the first American to win the cup....in 1873 playing for the now-dissolved Wanderers FC.

Julian Sturgis was the first American to win the FA Cup when he was part of the Wanderers team that triumphed in 1873. Sturgis found success as a novelist and writer for comic operas. His son Mark was assistant to the last Under-Secretaries for Ireland (1920-22) pic.twitter.com/ZnoXxDWayp
— Gerard Farrell (@gerrytastic) November 1, 2020

In one fell swoop the number of Americans with FA Cup winners medals has doubled.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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