He looks like Mick Jagger drinking that beer the other day in Charlotte. Bruce is the Mick Jagger of US soccer for his longevity and sardonic approach. No word is Bruce also has 7 kids with several women spread around the world but who the heck knows....both still going strong apparently in more ways than one. The job he has done in NE is as impressive to me as any (if he can top it off with an MLS Cup)
It also seems like Chris has really grown into his body in the last year plus, unsurprisingly given his age. He's always been athletic but had a bit of a baby deer kinda awkwardness to his stride at times, and could get pushed around from time to time. He seems to be in a different place physically now. Very excited to see how he does with the US.
High praise for Chris Richards 🇺🇸 Wanted to share something regarding Chris Richards. Spoke with someone recently who compared him to France legend Lilian Thuram. Suggested he has the potential to be one of the very best, versatile defenders in Europe. Massive praise. Here's hoping he starts vs. Panama.— Roger Gonzalez (@RGonzalezCBS) October 9, 2021
Hoffenheim posts massive, somewhat awkward picture of Richards on Twitter Spotlight on 💫@eastmamba | #TSGKOE https://t.co/xmBzlWg1xx pic.twitter.com/epDW1w2HTp— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@tsghoffenheimEN) October 15, 2021 Then announce he's on the bench today after finishing a match against Costa Rica 40 hours ago on a different continent.
Thuram was versatile along the backline as far as either flank or center. He played well with either foot, had very good pace, was a strong dude and smart player. Richards has also shown versatility in those ways and probably has much more of a left foot than say Joe Scally. He has good, not dominating pace, is sturdy lower body and should be able to get stronger. He is also a smart player and has upside. I guess there is some comparison but at this point I would say Richards is a lightweight, junior version but I certainly didn’t see Thuram when he was 21.
Subs in due to injury: Shame...#Kaderabek cannot continue. @eastmamba replaces him in the match.Come back stronger, Pavel! | 34' | 🔵 1:0 🔴 | #TSGKOE |— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@tsghoffenheimEN) October 15, 2021
Yeah no doubt there are some potential similarities. Just teasing about the “someone told me” part. Like what a dumb tweet haha. Was it someone in professional soccer? A scout? A coach? What?
Kaderabek started at RWB in front of a three man backline, and injured himself (for the second time this match) inadvertently committing a yellow card foul, and had to come out. Richards was inserted at LCB, still in a back three with Akopoguma moving out of the way as part of a shuffling of the deck for Hoffenheim.
Looking at the team picture from the last game. Richards looks to be taller than Miles. Both are listed at 6'2. Either Richards has grown or Miles is not a true 6'2 player.
Damn, I hope Richards doesn't get hurt himself. That is way too short a rest period from Wednesday's game to play 53 minutes again, especiallly after all the flying etc. Fingers crossed
Little bit of a rocky start to the second half for Richards, but Hoffenheim go up 2-0 on another Bebou goal with a clever improvised backheel after an Akpoguma cross.
I have no idea why BL would schedule Friday matches after international windows. It just doesn't make $ense to me.
The good news is that Hoffenheim have 8 days until their next match, so Richards should get plenty of rest. The bad news is that the next match is a visit to Bayern Munich.
It’s quite that common loaned players can’t play against their parent club… I don’t know the exact specifics of his loan, but I’d imagine Chris isn’t allowed to play against Bayern