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Jeff Carlisle
Crystal Palace and U.S. national team defender Chris Richards has been named the 2025 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year, as announced by the federation on Wednesday.
Richards won the award against competitors including Columbus Crew defender Max Arfsten, Orlando City defender Alex Freeman, New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese, and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Malik Tillman. Richards received 48.6% of the weighted vote, followed by Tillman with 21.7% and Freeman with 13%.
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Richards expressed his surprise at receiving the award during an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show,” which aired on ESPN Wednesday.
“It means the world to me,” Richards stated, as he anticipates playing a pivotal role for the USMNT during the upcoming home World Cup. “Some may say it’s a lot of pressure, but pressure creates diamonds. This team, this country—we’re Americans, we love to win and we fight hard.
“That’s our goal this summer, and hopefully we’ll end up holding a big trophy at the end.”
Voting for the U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year includes contributions from national team coaches, cap-earning USMNT players, members of the U.S. Soccer Board, the U.S. Soccer Athletes’ Council, head coaches and sporting directors of professional leagues, select media personalities, former players, and administrators.
Richards had an impressive year in 2025 both for his club and country.
The Birmingham, Alabama native participated in 12 matches for the USMNT, amassing 1,004 minutes—the highest of his international career. He scored two goals, including one during the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final, where the USMNT fell to Mexico 2-1. He was recognized as part of the tournament’s Best XI.
At the club level, Richards also shone, making 32 appearances in various competitions. He played a vital role in helping Crystal Palace secure the 2025 FA Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester City and clinching the 2025 Community Shield after a penalty shootout against Liverpool. These marked the first major trophies in the club’s 120-year history.
The U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year award was introduced in 1984, and since then, it has been awarded to 28 different players. Christian Pulisic and Landon Donovan hold the record for the most wins, each with four titles.