By OkayGoal 
Chris Richards entered U.S. men’s national team camp fresh off of a career year with Crystal Palace and signs of that success were on full display in Thursday’s performance.
Richards scored the decisive goal and logged a strong 90 minutes as the USMNT defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 in CONCACAF Gold Cup play, advancing to the tournament’s knockout round. While it was a gritty performance overall from Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, it was Richards who shined brightest, carrying his confidence at club level over to the international stage.
The Alabama native helped Crystal Palace win the FA Cup last May, which marked the first trophy in club history. Not only did the Eagles knock off Premier League giants Manchester City to win the historic competition, but they qualified for European Football for the first time as well.
Richards also logged 32 appearances in Oliver Glasner’s squad, which were the most for the defender in a single-season of his club career to date. Despite not receiving much of a break before USMNT camp, Richards has showed his leadership in the USMNT’s opening two matches of what they hope is a successful Gold Cup run.
“Now [Richards] is trying now to translate all this experience to this team with his performance, but most important being so humble,” said Pochettino about Richards translating his club success to the international level. “And that is what I like the most because he arrived [in camp] and is always very open, to learn, to talk. I’m so happy with him.”
Richards’ second-half finish helped the USMNT break down a stubborn Saudi Arabia backline, who certainly kept the Americans at bay for most of the match. While Patrick Agyemang, Malik Tillman, and others struggled to create the decisive moment, it was Richards who delivered his second international goal in style.
The 25-year-old will certainly be one of the defenders aiming to lock down a consistent starting spot under Pochettino over the next 12 months and luckily for him, he has his head coach’s confidence going forward.
“That’s what we want; that is what we expect because he has the quality,” said Pochettino about Richards setting the tone for the other USMNT players. “And the other players, that is all here. And then when you create that platform that the players start to feel very confident, and they feel the power of the energy and we start to play like a team, they start to appear in this type of situation.”
The USMNT will close out group stage play on Sunday against Haiti, in which Richards could receive a rest ahead of the quarterfinal round.