USMNT center back Chris Richards' World Cup status in doubt after ankle ligament tear

Center back Chris Richards, a vital element in the U.S. World Cup campaign, is in a race against time to be ready for the tournament after tearing two ligaments in his left ankle, Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner said Thursday.

Richards will miss Sunday’s Premier League finale against champion Arsenal and is in jeopardy of missing the UEFA Conference League final against Spain’s Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday in Leipzig, Germany, Glasner said.

The U.S. opens camp Wednesday in the Atlanta area ahead of friendlies against Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte and Germany on June 6 in Chicago. Its Group D opener is June 12 vs. Paraguay in Inglewood, California.

“I think it’s stable, but quite swollen, and we have to deal with the swelling,” Glasner said. “He has to get back on the pitch to be available, and it takes time.”

Glassner added, “He is in from sunrise until sunset having treatments and everything we can do that reduces the swelling, and of course we have a great medical department, so we will give our best and he will give his best — and then let’s see if we can get it done.”

Richards was hurt last weekend after entering as a second-half sub against Brentford. Glasner initially said he was hopeful Richards would return to training before the Arsenal match.

On a U.S. squad with backline questions, Richards is an invaluable figure. While Mauricio Pochettino has used a variety of other center backs in his three- and four-man alignments, Richards has been a constant.

Other center backs include Tim Ream, who recently returned from injury and has struggled throughout much of the MLS season with Charlotte. Cincinnati’s Miles Robinson has also battled injuries. Toulouse’s Mark McKenzie, Celtic’s Auston Trusty and Vancouver’s Tristan Blackmon are also in the mix.

Pochettino will name his 26-man squad Tuesday in New York.