Chris Richards declares himself ready for World Cup opener after ankle injury

USMNT defender Chris Richards has confirmed that he has fully recovered from an ankle ligament tear and is eager to feature in the team's World Cup opener against Paraguay this Friday. The defender admitted that the initial diagnosis was frightening, as it brought back memories of missing out on the previous World Cup due to a late injury.

Richards was forced to miss Crystal Palace's final Premier League match of the season against Arsenal following the injury. His recovery timeline became a point of frustration for head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who expressed concern over mixed reports regarding the player's fitness throughout the camp.

Despite the uncertainty, Richards worked consistently through an intensive rehabilitation program to ensure he would be available. Fellow defender Mark McKenzie emphasized the importance of Richards to the squad, highlighting his vocal leadership and competitive presence as vital traits for the USMNT backline.

Richards remains optimistic and insists there is no risk of aggravating the injury. He stated that he is ready to perform at 100 percent and is awaiting the final decision from the coaching staff for Friday's match.