&nbsp;Christian Pulisic entered 2025 carrying familiar expectations, but few could have predicted just how central he would become to everything around him. For&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/christian-pulisic/">Christian Pulisic</a>, the calendar year evolved into a statement of maturity, influence, and elite consistency—one in which both the club and the nation increasingly revolved around his presence. And yet, when one of the most prestigious individual honors in American soccer was announced, the outcome sent a ripple of surprise through the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/usmnt/">USMNT</a> landscape.



At the peak of his powers, after a year that felt tailor-made for recognition, Pulisic found himself edged out—not by decline, but by circumstance. At club level,&nbsp;Milan&nbsp;did not simply benefit from Pulisic last year—it depended on him. No longer just a high-profile signing, the American became the reference point of the attack. Operating from the right, drifting centrally, and dropping deep when needed, he provided balance to a side chasing domestic and European ambitions.



His influence went beyond goals and assists. The 27-year-old dictated tempo in difficult moments, stretched compact defenses with direct carries, and consistently delivered in high-pressure fixtures. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/ac-milan/">Milan</a>’s long unbeaten runs across the year coincided with his best soccer in Europe, and his tactical discipline—tracking back, pressing intelligently, and making selfless runs—earned him the trust of every coach he worked under.



By the end of the year, there was little debate inside Italy:&nbsp;Pulisic had become one of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/serie-a/">Serie A</a>’s most reliable big-game performers, a player who shaped matches even when he wasn’t on the scoresheet. Perhaps the most telling transformation in 2025 was not statistical, but psychological. Pulisic’s authority grew visibly. He simplified play when Milan needed control, took risks when the game demanded courage, and absorbed pressure without shrinking.



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This evolution redefined how he was viewed across Europe. He was no longer described as a winger with flashes of brilliance, but as a complete attacking player in his prime—one capable of carrying responsibility across competitions without sacrificing consistency. 2025 was not a hot streak; it was the arrival of a fully formed leader.



<h2>Carrying the nation forward</h2>



That leadership carried seamlessly into international duty. With the&nbsp;United States men’s national soccer team, Pulisic remained the emotional and tactical focal point whenever he stepped onto the pitch.



As captain, he delivered in qualifiers and marquee fixtures, scoring, assisting, and—just as importantly—setting standards. Younger players looked to him for cues; opponents built defensive plans around stopping him. In multiple matches, the U.S. attacking identity was shaped almost entirely by his movement and creativity.



By the end of the calendar year,&nbsp;Pulisic stood firmly as the most decisive American player of his generation, combining elite European form with international authority.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/10123048/Christian-Pulisic-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="Christian Pulisic" class="wp-image-578797" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Christian Pulisic playing for the USMNT</figcaption></figure>



<h2>The award twist nobody expected and why Pulisic missed out</h2>



Despite his outstanding year, Pulisic did&nbsp;not&nbsp;take home the 2025 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year award—an honor he had already won four times in his career. Instead, the trophy went to&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/chris-richards">Chris Richards</a>, a center-back whose 2025 was defined by availability, consistency, and impact across club and country. Richards received&nbsp;48.6% of the vote, starting&nbsp;11 of 12&nbsp;matches for the USMNT during the year and playing every game on the road to the Gold Cup final.



“It means a lot to me to join a very prestigious list of players,”&nbsp;Richards said.&nbsp;“This has been a big year, and we have an even bigger year coming up. This shows how well we’ve done as a team and the momentum we are building towards the World Cup.”



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Your 2025 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year, as voted on by the fans…IT&apos;S CHRIS RICHARDS! 🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/USMNT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USMNT</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/eastmamba?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eastmamba</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/CPFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CPFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/2V8STB7cSm">pic.twitter.com/2V8STB7cSm</a>— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/2011501837464051754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2026</a></blockquote></div> 



His résumé was compelling: two goals at the Gold Cup, inclusion in the tournament’s Best XI, and a starring role in a historic FA Cup triumph with&nbsp;Crystal Palace. In total, the 25-year-old defender made&nbsp;32 club appearances&nbsp;across competitions, anchoring one of the strongest defensive years by an American abroad.



The decision was less about performance than eligibility. Pulisic made only&nbsp;six international appearances&nbsp;during the 2025 calendar year, a factor that weighed heavily in voting. In contrast, Richards’ availability and continuity with the national side proved decisive. The result also marked a broader trend: defenders have now won the award in consecutive years for the first time since the mid-1990s, underlining how U.S. Soccer values collective impact as much as attacking stardom.

Christian Pulisic surprisingly overlooked for major 2025 US award despite career-best form: USMNT teammate and Premier League star named U.S. Soccer’s Male Player of the Year

Christian Pulisic surprisingly overlooked for major 2025 US award despite career-best form: USMNT teammate and Premier League star named U.S. Soccer’s Male Player of the Year - World Soccer Talk

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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/chris-richards/">Chris Richards</a> made headlines in the days leading up to the holidays after the Crystal Palace defender was stretchered off the field against Arsenal in a concerning scene. A few days after the incident, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/usmnt/">USMNT</a> standout delivered an optimistic injury update to fans.



On Tuesday, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/arsenal/">Arsenal</a> hosted Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals in a heated matchup between the two London sides. With the score still 0-0 in the 69th minute, Gabriel Jesus beat Richards to a cross and headed the ball just wide of the goal.



Immediately after the play, Richards went down, raising alarm among teammates and staff. Cameras showed blood on his ankle, and the defender was unable to stand as he writhed in pain. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chris-richards-raises-concern-ahead-of-2026-world-cup-as-usmnt-star-is-stretchered-off-in-arsenal-vs-palace/">Medical staff ultimately decided to stretcher Richards off the field</a>, a moment that sparked significant concern for both Palace and the USMNT.



However, on Wednesday, December 25, Richards broke his silence and offered reassurance following the scare. “Thanks everybody for the messages, won’t be long til I’m back,” Richards wrote on his Instagram account.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20251225_WST_612016_chris-richards-crystal-palace-arsenal-1_4c16f74e.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="Chris Richards of Crystal Palace leaves the pitch on a stretcher." class="wp-image-612024"></figure><figcaption>Chris Richards of Crystal Palace leaves the pitch on a stretcher.</figcaption></figure>



The update came as a major relief for both Crystal Palace and Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT, with less than six months remaining until the start of the 2026 World Cup. Richards missed the 2022 tournament due to a leg injury, but now plays a key role for both club and country and is expected to be one of the team’s cornerstones.


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<h2>Coach Glasner optimistic about Richards’ return</h2>



Crystal Palace not only lost Richards, who had started every Premier League match so far in the 2025-26 season, but were also eliminated from the Carabao Cup via a penalty shootout. As the club turns its focus back to league play, head coach Oliver Glasner remains optimistic about Richards’ recovery timeline.



Speaking after the match against Arsenal, the Austrian manager addressed the defender’s condition during his postgame press conference: “He got a knock on his foot, a stamp on his foot, and it had to be stitched. I don’t know how many stitches, but a few. The doctor told me it doesn’t look so bad. I’m always hopeful. We have to be hopeful.“



Palace will host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday, December 28, before traveling to face Fulham on January 1, a match Richards could return for. “I don’t know if he will be OK for the Tottenham game, but I’m still hoping that he will be back against Fulham,” Glasner concluded.

USMNT star Chris Richards delivers optimistic injury update after being stretchered off vs. Arsenal

USMNT star Chris Richards delivers optimistic injury update after being stretchered off vs. Arsenal - World Soccer Talk

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/chris-richards/">Chris Richards</a> became a central figure Tuesday night as Arsenal hosted Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals. In what could be a concerning moment for the U.S. Men’s National Team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/crystal-palace/">Crystal Palace</a> defender was stretchered off the field following a painful injury.



At the Emirates Stadium, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/arsenal/">Arsenal</a> controlled much of the first half but struggled to turn possession into a breakthrough against a Palace side set up defensively. After the break, the match opened up, with both London clubs creating chances, before an injury halted play and shifted the focus away from the scoreline.



In the 69th minute, Martin Ødegaard delivered a cross toward Gabriel Jesus, who rose to challenge Richards but sent his header wide of the left post. Moments later, attention turned to Richards, who went down immediately after the play, prompting concern from Palace players and staff.



Television cameras spotted blood coming from Richards’ ankle as the center back remained on the ground in visible pain and unable to stand. Medical staff rushed onto the field to assess him before determining he could not continue.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20251223_WST_611573_chris-richards-crystal-palace-arsenal_eee1c4de.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="Chris Richards of Crystal Palace requires medical attention after picking up an injury against Arsenal." class="wp-image-611579"></figure><figcaption>Chris Richards of Crystal Palace requires medical attention after picking up an injury against Arsenal.</figcaption></figure>



Midfielder Will Hughes replaced Richards in the 75th minute as the defender was carried off on a stretcher and taken down the tunnel for further evaluation. No official update on the severity of the injury has been released, but the images raised immediate concern for both Crystal Palace and the USMNT with the 2026 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/">World Cup</a> now less than six months away.


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<h2>Richards’ 2025-26 so far</h2>



After lifting the FA Cup and the Community Shield with Crystal Palace, Richards opened the 2025-26 season in strong form. With the Eagles currently three points off the European places in the Premier League, the USMNT defender has appeared in 24 matches across all competitions, starting every league game so far.



At the international level, Richards has also cemented himself as a key starter under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, featuring against South Korea, Japan, Ecuador, and Australia, before being rested during the November international window. This latest injury, however, now raises concerns that could impact the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/usmnt/">USMNT</a>’s plans moving forward.

Chris Richards injury raises concern ahead of 2026 World Cup after USMNT star is stretchered off vs. Arsenal

Chris Richards injury raises concern ahead of 2026 World Cup after USMNT star is stretchered off vs. Arsenal - World Soccer Talk

The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/usmnt/">USMNT</a> faced off against defending champions Mexico in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final at NRG Stadium, and it didn’t take long for Mauricio Pochettino’s side to strike first. Defender <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/chris-richards/">Chris Richards</a> opened the scoring with a sensational header early in the match.



With both nations splitting the last seven <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/gold-cup/">Gold Cups</a> since 2011—Mexico claiming four titles and the US three—tensions were high heading into the final. Mexican fans, who made up the majority in the stadium, came ready to defend their crown, but the early goal quickly silenced the crowd.



The play began when Patrick Agyemang was fouled near midfield, and the US made the most of the opportunity. Sebastian Belharter delivered a perfectly placed cross into the box, where Richards rose above his marker to power a header off the underside of the bar. The ball crossed the line before bouncing out, capping off a superb finish from the center-back in the 4th minute.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS TOURNEY… SEBASTIAN BERHALTER WITH THE SET PIECE DELIVERY CHRIS RICHARDS SENDS IT HOME<a href="https://t.co/1eb2NrdAcp">pic.twitter.com/1eb2NrdAcp</a>— U.S. Soccer Men&apos;s National Team (@USMNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1941999422453223434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Richards has emerged as a surprise X-factor for Pochettino throughout the tournament. He also netted the match-winner against Saudi Arabia in the group stage with a similar header, and now he’s repeated the feat on the biggest stage of the competition.



<h2>Richards sets historic mark against Mexico</h2>



Richards’ goal came at a critical moment, ending <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/mexico/">Mexico</a> goalkeeper Luis Malagón’s run of four consecutive clean sheets. But the center-back also etched his name into the record books with a historic strike.



Clocked at 3 minutes and 31 seconds, Richards’ opener is now the fastest goal ever scored against Mexico in Gold Cup history. The previous record was held by Guatemala legend Carlos Ruiz, who scored in the 4th minute and 35th second during the 2011 tournament.

Video: Chris Richards scores stunning header for USMNT against Mexico in 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Final

Video: Chris Richards scores stunning header for USMNT against Mexico in 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Final - World Soccer Talk

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Video: Chris Richards scores stunning header for USMNT against Mexico in 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Final