Chris Richards, the United States' top center back, has been cleared to play in the U.S. Men's National Team's (USMNT) World Cup opener against Paraguay on Friday. Richards, who missed the team's pre-tournament friendlies due to an ankle injury sustained in May, confirmed his availability on Wednesday. 'I'm ready to go,' Richards told reporters. 'It's the World Cup. If there's any time to sacrifice yourself, it's now.'
Richards is expected to start alongside 38-year-old captain Tim Ream in a likely back-three formation. The third center back remains undecided, with options including Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, and Miles Robinson. Richards' return is a significant boost for coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has emphasized the defender's importance to the team's system.
Paraguay, meanwhile, faces uncertainty with star forward Julio Enciso, who suffered an injury in a warm-up match. It remains unclear if Enciso will be available for Friday's game. The match will take place at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium).