Chris Richards available for US friendly vs. Portugal but Johnny Cardoso is out
MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) — American defender Chris Richards has recovered from a knee injury and says he can play in the United States' friendly against Portugal on Tuesday but midfielder Johnny Cardoso is hurt and will leave camp ahead of the game. Richards, the top American central defender, missed Saturday's 5-2 loss to Belgium .
Richards sustained a slight injury during Crystal Palace’s Europa Conference League match at Larnaca on March 19 . “I’m fine,” he said Monday. “I had a bad tackle in my last game with Palace and so just a little bit of knee pain, knee soreness, but I’ve been training individually all week and I’m available for tomorrow.
” Cardoso started against Belgium and was replaced by Cristian Roldan for the start of the second half. Cardoso was to return Monday night to Atletico Madrid. “Johnny arrived from Madrid with some small things, issues,” U.
S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said. “The plan was to play 45 minutes, but when finished after 45 minutes he feel again this type of uncomfortable things in some part of his leg.
“I think he was good during 45 minutes. ” Pochettino said. “I am happy with his performance, commitment and intention to play.