Yeah, if Richards has anything more than a minor knock, I think Tim Ream will be making the team after all.
I'm just sticking to my guns on my prediction from last year...which was that Ream wouldn't make this WC for one reason or another.
He'll be in the squad for seniority purposes. He'll come on late against France in the final to secure a 6-5 win and make two crucial errors. Then everyone can say "told you!"
Updates on Richards (ankle) and Aaronson (dead leg) ... "U.S. defender Chris Richards and midfielder Brenden Aaronson both suffered injury scares on the penultimate Sunday of the English Premier League season, though both appear to have avoided major setbacks. Richards landed awkwardly on his ankle after an aerial duel while playing for Crystal Palace against Brentford, and Aaronson was replaced in the 59th minute after going down with what Leeds manager Daniel Farke said was a “dead leg” during his side’s victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. Farke and Palace manager Oliver Glasner both seemed to indicate that the injuries to their American players were minor." More detailed discussion in the full article ... https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/72...aronson-chris-richards-injury-news-world-cup/
Hmmm, i saw that coach update last night, so I guess we have no new information on x rays or anything. I can't access twitter from work
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/72...s-richards-usmnt-ankle-injury-world-cup-news/ Chris Richards, "has sustained two torn ligaments in his left ankle". I'm no doctor, but that seems... uh... "sub-optimal"
What lay people call sprained ankles are almost always tears. It likely is just a case of you talking like a lay person and the quote being medically accurate. How bad the tear is is the question. 50/50 for end of month is iffy. The real danger is he tries to play on it and makes it worse. If he does that, US fans will hate him. If he sits, Palace fans will. Tough spot for Richards.
I'd put a lot of money on him sitting for that final only 6 days from now. We'll just have to see what the doctor's say. I'm sure the USMNT medical staff is in communication with the Palace staff. Richards is one who might make the roster even if he's only 80%.
I think this is one of those cases where the Euro description of a sprained ankle sounds like his foot was amputated.
Just awful that he might get robbed from participating in yet another World Cup, both of which where he would have been our #1 CB. Richards is the best CB we've had since Carlos Bocanegra and the most talented one we've had since Eddie Pope. Huge hole to fill if he isn't fit or able to go for the World Cup. I'm praying to the soccer gods that it's minor enough that he can somehow recover in time...
He'll be there if there's any chance he can go even by the knockout rounds, but it could mean we bring a 5th true CB at the expense of someone like Scally or Berhalter.
If he's "50/50" for the Conference League Final, then World Cup doesn't sound to be too much in doubt. However, if he plays in the UEFA final and doesn't come out unscathed.....
Hopefully he will be recovered in time. As far as I know, pretty much any "sprain" is a torn or partially torn ligament. I stand corrected...I guess: 3 Grades of Ankle Sprains and How to Treat Them - Delta Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Based on that information it sounds as if he has a grade two or possibly less likely a grade 3 sprain.
It is 4 weeks until game 2 and Paraguay is the opener. 5 weeks until G3. It would have to be really bad for him to miss out entirely. But I wouid not be playing him in those friendlies.