Chris Richards has expressed his excitement at returning to the United States for Crystal Palace’s pre-season tour of Chicago and Detroit.
Following back-to-back pre-season wins over Crawley Town and Watford, Palace now jet out to Illinois – and, later in the week, Michigan – to play two high-profile fixtures against Colombian champions Millonarios FC and UEFA Europa League winners Sevilla.
Tickets for both fixtures are available here, while the games will also be broadcast live on Palace TV+ for fans back home to enjoy.
Speaking to YouTube channel We Are Soccer, Richards, who has won 10 caps for the United States, said: “I’m more excited than anything!
“Being able to play back home is always amazing, whether it’s friends and family coming to see you, or just the chance to play back home. It’s always nice to hear people who sound like you! I’m really excited for it.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing some fans and embracing the Midwest culture. I haven’t been out to Chicago and Detroit much, so I’m looking forward to it.”
On the prospect of a strong Palace and Millonarios backing in the former occasion, he said: “The more the merrier!
“They [Millonarios] are clearly a really good side and will probably bring a lot of fans. We’re just looking forward to a good game and hopefully a big turnout as well.”
The defender may attract controversy back in his homeland, however, after revealing which pizza topping would be on his (hypothetical) Chicago pizza…
“I’m going to be one hundred percent honest: I love the deep dish [pizza]! I love it with the tomato sauce on top. I love it!
“I’m a pineapple guy, myself…”
Alabama-born Richards joined Palace last summer from Bayern Munich, his first European club after breaking through with FC Dallas.
Describing his time in south London, Richards said: “It’s very much a family club, from the fans to the employees to the players as well. It really feels like home.
“They [the fans] have made me feel welcome. When they’ve seen me round the city or buying groceries or something, they stop me and just say ‘hi’ – it’s not pestering, they really just want to say ‘hi’ and wish me good luck. I’ve really enjoyed being here and playing for this club.
“I hang out a lot with Jedi [Antonee Robinson of Fulham] a lot actually. We have a really good relationship. Of course [I do] with the other [American] players [in the Premier League] as well, but Jedi it’s easier because he probably lives closest to me. We get together for dinner or I probably go over to his house. It just all depends. We see each other pretty often.
“Living away from home is never easy but to have people going through the same experience and also come from the same place as you do, it’s always nice to have that in common with somebody else.”
But whether at home or abroad, Richards response – when prompted for his most important maxim – gave an always-applicable response: “Be the hardest worker out there.
“Whether you’re injured or not there’s no excuse for someone outworking you. They might have more talent than you, but nobody can dictate how much work you put in. Always give a hundred percent.”
Source : CPFC
