Chris Richards’ productive 2025 yr for membership and nation earned him a significant honor on the worldwide degree.
Richards was named U.S. Soccer’s Male Participant of the Yr of the Yr, the federation introduced Wednesday. He edged Malik Tillman and Alex Freeman for the award, in addition to Max Arfsten and Matt Freese.
Richards acquired with 48.6% of the weighted whole of voted, adopted by Tillman (21.7%) and Freeman (13%).
“It means quite a bit to me to affix a really prestigious checklist of gamers,” Richards stated. “This has been an enormous yr, and we’ve got an excellent larger yr arising. This exhibits how properly we’ve finished as a group and the momentum we’re constructing in the direction of the World Cup.”
Richards began in 11 of his 12 USMNT appearances in 2025, serving to the squad attain the CONCACAF Gold Cup Closing. The veteran defender earned Finest XI honors for his optimistic run on the match.
He additionally helped the USMNT shut the calendar yr on a five-match unbeaten run in pleasant play.
At membership degree, Richards helped English facet Crystal Palace elevate its first two trophies in membership historical past. The Eagles defeated Manchester Metropolis 1-0 within the FA Cup Closing final Might earlier than additionally downing Liverpool 2-2 (3-2 on penalty kicks) within the FA Group Defend in August.
Crystal Palace additionally reached a European competitors for the primary time, participating within the UEFA Convention League. The Eagles are at the moment within the knockout stage of the competitors.
Richards is predicted to stay a key a part of each the Crystal Palace and USMNT squads as 2026 continues to push ahead.