Birmingham native Chris Richards continues to make Alabama proud on soccer’s biggest stage.
The Hoover soccer player was in the starting lineup Wednesday night as the U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0, advancing to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The victory marked the Americans’ first World Cup knockout-stage win since 2002 and set up a matchup with Belgium national football team in the next round.
Richards, who currently plays for Crystal Palace, returned to the lineup after sitting out the team’s final group-stage match as a precaution. He helped anchor a U.S. defense that held firm after forward Folarin Balogun was shown a red card, forcing the Americans to play the final 35 minutes with 10 men before a late goal sealed the win…