US defeats Paraguay 4-1 as Chris Richards anchors defense despite injury

Chris Richards tore two ligaments in his left ankle on May 17. Twenty-six days later, he played a full 90 minutes in a World Cup match and didn’t misplace a single pass.

The US men’s national team opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay, and Richards was the unlikely anchor of the whole operation. The 26-year-old Crystal Palace defender, who was genuinely questionable to make the squad, turned in one of the most quietly dominant defensive performances in recent World Cup memory.

A performance for the record books

Here’s the thing about Richards’ stat line: 83 passes completed, zero missed. That’s 100% passing accuracy over a full match. The last time any player accomplished that in a World Cup game was 1966.

The road back from injury

He suffered the ankle injury playing for Crystal Palace in the English Premier League on May 17. Two torn ligaments. Richards returned to training in early June. He was cleared to play just days before the match against Paraguay. Manager Mauricio Pochettino made the call to start him.

This isn’t the first time injury has threatened to derail Richards’ international career at the worst possible moment. The Alabama native missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to injury as well.

Pochettino’s blueprint takes shape

The 4-1 result was exactly the kind of opening statement Pochettino wanted. Managing the USMNT at a home World Cup, the largest in tournament history, comes with expectations that border on unreasonable.

Richards’ role in that system was critical. A ball-playing center-back who can progress possession with 100% accuracy is the kind of player Pochettino’s possession-oriented approach demands.

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