You Won't Believe How Chris Richards Shocked Everyone to Become 2025's Top U.S. Soccer Star!

ATLANTA – In a significant recognition of his contributions to American soccer, U.S. Men's National Team defender Chris Richards has been named the 2025 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year. This accolade comes after an impressive year where Richards started 11 of the 12 matches he was available for the USMNT, including all six matches leading up to the 2025 Gold Cup Final. During this tournament, he not only scored two goals but also earned a position on the Best XI list.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Richards has solidified his place in the English Premier League playing for Crystal Palace FC. He showcased his talent by starting and completing both domestic trophy wins—the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

“It means a lot to me to join a very prestigious list of players,” Richards remarked. “This has been a big year, and we have an even bigger year coming up. This shows how well we’ve done as a team and the momentum we are building towards the World Cup.”

This is Richards’ first time receiving the U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year award, and he achieved this in his inaugural year of being nominated. First established in 1984, the award has recognized a total of 28 players. At just 25 years old, Richards becomes the second consecutive defender to receive this honor, following Antonee Robinson, who won the award in 2024. Notably, this marks the first instance of consecutive defenders winning the award since Marcelo Balboa and Alexi Lalas did so in 1994 and 1995.

Richards found out about his award during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, airing on ESPN. “It was sick. I see Pat all the time on College GameDay. It was cool for him to announce this on his show and to give a shoutout,” he shared. “It just shows how much the game is growing in the U.S., how much respect there is for the sport, and how much the excitement is building for the World Cup this summer.”

In a competitive field of nominees that included defenders Max Arfsten, Alex Freeman, goalkeeper Matt Freese, and midfielder Malik Tillman, Richards garnered a remarkable 48.6 percent of the weighted total of votes, with Tillman receiving 21.7 percent and Freeman 13 percent.

The voting process for the U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year incorporates input from National Team coaches, USMNT players who earned caps in 2025, members of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors, the U.S. Soccer Athletes’ Council, professional league head coaches and sporting directors, as well as select media members and former players and administrators.

During 2025, Richards not only played the most games (12) but also logged the most minutes (1,004) of his career in a calendar year. He was a pivotal figure at the center of defense for the U.S. team throughout the 2025 Gold Cup, where his standout performances earned him a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Best XI.

At the club level, Richards has become an integral part of the Crystal Palace defense. In the 2024-25 season, he made 32 total appearances across all competitions, contributing a goal and an assist. His defensive prowess played a critical role in guiding Crystal Palace to historic victories, including a 1-0 win against Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup Final, marking the club’s first FA Cup trophy since its founding in 1861. In the summer, Richards helped secure another trophy for the club, as they triumphed over Liverpool in penalty kicks to win the 2025 Community Shield, once again playing the full match.

This recognition of Chris Richards not only speaks volumes about his individual skill and leadership but also highlights the growing prominence of soccer in the United States as the nation gears up for the upcoming World Cup. As the sport continues to gain traction, stories like Richards’ will serve as inspirations for aspiring athletes across the country.