Chris Richards named in U-23 USMNT 25-man roster

Jason Kreis, head coach of the U.S Men’s U-23 team has released his 25-man roster for their upcoming training camp and match against El Salvador as a part of their preparations for next year’s CONCACAf Olympic qualifying tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico. Chris Richards is one of seven defenders that have been called up by Kreis. Richards has been a regular outfit for Bayern Munich’s reserve team (Bayern Munich II) in the 3. Liga after recovering from an ankle injury during the summer.

Kries was thankful that the player’s respective clubs allowed them to join up with the U-23 squad for the training camp (USsoccer.com):

I am very happy that the majority of MLS and European clubs have continued to be supportive of our efforts by allowing their players to join us in camp. We’re continuing to build a team and a playing style that we feel will give us the best possible chance of qualifying for the Olympics in 2020. These last few camps of 2019 are meant to be about wrapping up evaluation and beginning to move towards some consistency, rhythm and understanding.

This is the first time Richards has been called up to the U-23 side after missing out on a call-up in March and September for matches against Egypt, the Netherlands, and Japan. He impressed at the U-20 World Cup in Poland, starting in all of the U.S’s group-stage and knockout matches in their run to the quarter-finals, when they were eliminated by Ecuador, losing 2-1.

A moment of defensive brilliance from Richards at the U-20 World Cup:

The Complete Roster (USsoccer.com)

ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB; HOMETOWN)

GOALKEEPERS (4): Matt Freese (Philadelphia Union; Wayne, Pa.), JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes; Alamo, Calif.), David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake; Oxnard, Calif.), Brady Scott (Koln/GER; Petaluma, Calif.)

DEFENDERS (8): Kyle Duncan (New York Red Bulls; New York, N.Y.), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; Tucson, Ariz.), Chris Gloster (PSV Eindhoven/NED; Montclair, N.J.), Aaron Herrera (Real Salt Lake; Las Cruces, N.M.), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union; Bear, Del.), Chris Richards (Bayern Munich/GER; Birmingham, Ala.), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United FC; Arlington, Mass.), Sam Vines (Colorado Rapids; Colorado Springs, Colo.)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Christian Cappis (Hobro/DEN; Katy, Texas), Johnny Cardoso (Internacional/BRA; Porto Alegre, Brazil), Hassani Dotson (Minnesota United FC; Federal Way, Wash.), Chris Durkin (Sint-Truiden/BEL; Glen Allen, Va.), Richard Ledezma (PSV Eindhoven/NED; Phoenix, Ariz.), Alex Mendez (Ajax/NED; Los Angeles, Calif.), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; Lemont, Ill.)

FORWARDS (6): Omir Fernandez (New York Red Bulls; Bronx, N.Y.), Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake; Paradise Valley, Ariz.), Jonathan Lewis (Colorado Rapids; Plantation, Fla.), Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake; Park City, Utah), Sebastian Soto (Hannover 96/GER; Carlsbad, Calif.), Mason Toye (Minnesota United FC; South Orange, N.J.)