MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) – American defender Chris Richards has recovered from a knee injury and said he will be available for Tuesday’s friendly against the United States and against Portugal, but midfielder Johnny Cardoso is injured and will leave camp before the game.
Richards, America’s top central defender, missed Saturday’s game. Lost to Belgium 5-2.
Richards suffered a minor injury during the match. Crystal Palace Europa Conference League match played in Larnaca on March 19th.
“I’m fine,” he said Monday. “I had a bad tackle in the last game against Palace, so I have a little soreness in my knee, a little soreness in my knee, but I’ve been doing individual training all week so I’ll be fine tomorrow.”
Cardoso started against Belgium and was replaced by Cristian Roldan at the start of the second half. Cardoso was scheduled to return to Atletico Madrid on Monday night.
“Johnny arrived from Madrid with some little things and problems,” said U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino. “The plan was for him to play 45 minutes, but after 45 minutes he left the game and he felt this discomfort in part of his leg again.
“I thought he was good for 45 minutes,” Pochettino said. “I’m happy with his performance, commitment and intention to play.”
Christian Pulisic’s goal drought
Pochettino said he may tweak his positioning. Christian Pulisicusually on the wing of the national team. Pulisic has not scored in his last 12 games with AC Milan and his last seven games with the United States until November 2024.
“Maybe we can help a little bit to get a little closer to the goal,” Pochettino said. “Maybe we can do some tests to play with players who are more midfielders and less attacking players.”
Pochettino said he was never comfortable in Saturday’s game against Belgium. Weston McKennie put the U.S. ahead in the 39th minute, allowing the U.S. to score five consecutive goals.
About the game we lost to Belgium 5-2
“You saw my face when I scored,” Pochettino said, his lips drawn back and trying not to show any emotion. “My gut feeling was that it wasn’t good. Why? Because when we scored, we should have scored the third goal, not the first.”
Comparison of lack of aggression and dieting and overeating
Pochettino said maintaining his aggression was the same as managing his diet after losing weight.
“After you have to be disciplined, you’re not going to eat good food and eat all this stuff,” he said. “I won, but that’s great, no. Chicken, steak, lasagna, pasta?”
Having Chris, Christian, and Cristian on one team can be confusing.
Pochettino laughed about having to remember the names and nicknames for each player.
“I have Christian Pulisic, I have Christian Roldan, I have Chris Richards, but now sometimes they make me change. Christian Rolland is Roldy, Roldan and Anthony Robinson is a Jedi,” he said. “After almost two years with them, I’m learning how to make phone calls.”
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