USMNT’s Chris Richards has torn ligaments in ankle, putting World Cup status in doubt

• Crystal Palace center-back will miss season finale

• 26-year-old uncertain for Conference League final

• Richards has been vital to Pochettino’s US plans

US national team center-back Chris Richards has “two torn ligaments in his ankle”, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said on Thursday, casting uncertainty on the stalwart defender’s status for this summer’s World Cup.

The club had said Richards “was in discomfort” late in last weekend’s match against Brentford, which he entered in the 61st minute.