Chris Richards Declares Readiness for Portugal Clash as Cardoso Departs US Camp

G. E (Elbotola)

30 March 2026at19:30

US defender Chris Richards has confirmed his readiness to participate in the United States' friendly match against Portugal on Tuesday, following his full recovery from a knee injury that had kept him sidelined recently. Richards stated he is now available for the anticipated encounter after missing the previous clash against Belgium, indicating he has regained full physical fitness and is capable of returning to the starting lineup.

The Crystal Palace center-back sustained the injury during a Europa Conference League match in Larnaca on March 19, a result of a forceful tackle that led to prolonged knee pain.

Regarding his condition, Chris Richards said, “I'm good, I just had a bad tackle in my last game with Palace that caused some pain and swelling in my knee, but I've been training individually all week and I'm available for tomorrow's game.”

Conversely, the US national team will be without midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who has returned to his club, Atlético Madrid in Spain, due to physical issues preventing his continued participation in the current camp. US coach Mauricio Pochettino reported that Cardoso arrived from Madrid experiencing some minor discomfort.

Pochettino explained, “The plan was for him to play 45 minutes, but at the end of the first half, he again felt this type of discomfort in a part of his leg,” which necessitated his departure from the squad.

These roster changes for the US national team follow their 5-2 defeat against Belgium, a match where the defense notably missed Richards, who is considered a key pillar in the backline. Cardoso had started the recent game before being substituted by Cristian Roldan at the start of the second half, subsequently leaving the camp to head to Spain to continue his treatment program with his club.

Q&A

What is Chris Richards' status for the US national team's match against Portugal?

Chris Richards is fully recovered from a knee injury and has declared himself ready to play in the upcoming friendly against Portugal. He missed the previous match against Belgium but has been training individually and is available for selection.

Why did Johnny Cardoso depart the US national team camp?

Johnny Cardoso returned to his club, Atlético Madrid, due to ongoing physical issues that prevented his continued participation. US coach Mauricio Pochettino noted Cardoso experienced discomfort during the recent Belgium game, leading to his early departure for treatment.

How will the US national team adjust to these recent roster changes?

The US national team will adjust by welcoming Chris Richards back into the defense, a key pillar missed in their recent 5-2 defeat. Simultaneously, they will need to compensate for Johnny Cardoso's midfield absence, who departed due to physical issues.