'I’m still not sold on Chris Richards' – USMNT legend Alexi Lalas expresses doubts over inconsistent U.S., Crystal Palace defender

Former U.S. men’s national team defender Alexi Lalas expressed doubts about Chris Richards’ future with the USMNT. Speaking on his podcast, Lalas didn’t hold back in his assessment of the 23-year-old’s performances and potential.

Lalas said believes that Richard’s main problem is his struggle for consistency, both at Crystal Palace and for the USMNT, as he goes through periods in which he performs well - and then struggles.

“I’m flummoxed a little bit… I’m flummoxed by Chris Richards,” Lalas said.

“I’m flummoxed by Chris Richards because as we know, the US men’s national team needs a consistent and quality center-back pairing," Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast. "And it’s a rotating type of cast and at one point, Chris Richards was the future. And yet when I watch him, I want him to do well and he, over the years, has yet to really really solidify in my mind that he deserves that spot.

“And he will have good games and not-OK games. You will have good moments in games and then head scratching type of moments, and so that consistency is ultimately what I’m looking for here. But so far, this is a really good run for him and I’m not saying everything that he has done has been good, I’m left scratching my head with some of the defending - and for a US team at a certain point, in order to beat the elites, you’re going to have to defend and you’re going to have to defend against the best in the world.

“And I’m still not sold. I’m still not sold on Chris Richards. But if this is as good as it gets when it comes to Chris Richards, I still don’t think that that is good enough. But I hold out hope that he continues to progress and that maybe, whether through this summer and obviously in the 2026, he can get to that point where if this is as good as it gets, then it actually is good enough.”

Richards, a 24-year-old American defender, currently plays for Crystal Palace in the Premier League. His career began with FC Dallas before joining Bayern Munich in 2018, where he made his professional debut.

After loan spells at Hoffenheim, Richards signed with Crystal Palace in 2022 and has also become a regular for the USMNT, although he hasn’t locked down a permanent spot yet.

The Eagles endured a tough start to the 2024-25 season but have persisted and are currently on a decent run of form. Oliver Glasner’s side is in 12th place on the Premier League table. The Selhurst Park side face Ipswich Town next in the league before a FA Cup quarter-finals clash against fellow London club Fulham.