The Man Behind the Athlete: Chris Richards’ Parents, Girlfriend/Wife, Ethnicity & More originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Chris Richards has become one of the most exciting young talents playing for the USMNT. Ahead of the World Cup next year, the 25-year-old defender has made a name for himself with Team USA and in the Premier League.
Currently playing for Crystal Palace, his experience in Europe has helped him with excellent performances with the national team. His level continues to grow as he has played for a European giant and is a regular for a great Premier League side.
Chris Richards’ Early Life and Parents
Christopher Jeffrey Richards was born on March 28, 2000, in Birmingham, Alabama. His parents are Ken and Carrie Richards; his father played college basketball at Birmingham-Southern College. His father played professional basketball in three countries. (Australia, Bolivia, and Iceland)
Richard’s mother worked in a managerial paralegal-type role in a law firm while his father owned a moving transportation company that helped people with house moves, according to The Athletic.
Richards has two younger siblings, and the family would find it difficult to take the player to out-of-state games. Both parents would volunteer to drive the passenger van for the Richards youth team as a way to have the cost of a hotel covered.
Richards convinced his dad to play soccer instead of basketball when he was younger. There is no clear information on whether Richards is in a relationship.
Chris Richards in Europe
Richard joined the FC Dallas academy in 2017 and signed his first professional contract with the MLS club in 2018. He never played in the MLS and instead went on a 10-day trial at Bayern Munich.
Richards played a few games with Bayern in 2018, and in the following year, he signed a permanent contract with FC Bayern Munich. He made his Bundesliga and Champions League debut in 2020 with the German giants.
In 2021, he was loaned out to Hoffenheim. After his loan in 2022, he joined Crystal Palace. Recently, he helped Palace win the club’s first major trophy in its history by winning the FA Cup. Richards became just the second American to play in and win an FA Cup final after Tim Howard in 2004 with Manchester United.
Chris Richards with the USMNT
Richards has never played in a World Cup with the USMNT. He was set to play in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but missed out due to a leg injury.
Richards is one of the first names expected for the final roster for the 2026 World Cup. He has made 32 appearances for the USMNT and has scored three goals. His most recent goal for the USMNT was against Mexico in the 2025 Gold Cup Final.
FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS TOURNEY…
SEBASTIAN BERHALTER WITH THE SET PIECE DELIVERY
CHRIS RICHARDS SENDS IT HOMEpic.twitter.com/1eb2NrdAcp
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) July 6, 2025
Related: Mauricio Pochettino Up Close: Parents, Wife, Ethnicity, Net Worth & Other Details
Related: Gold Cup Final: Christian Pulisic’s Rallying Cry For Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.