Chris Richards
have a certain hunger, a certain drive
that we want to show the world.”
In making his debut inJune, Richards
became only the second American to
play in the Bundesliga for Bayern, after
USA legend Landon Donovan’s brief,
six-game loan spell at the Allianz Arena
in 2009. He is under no illusion that his
work is done, though. His aim is tofollow former MLS standout Alphonso
Davies’ path to a regular first-team berth,
a route he is already mapping out.
“My short-term goal is to get included
with the national team for World Cup
qualifying. That’s one of my big things.
I’ve always loved to wear my nation’s
crest on my chest and that’s always a
really proud moment for me, so that’s
one of my goals.
“Another goal I have is to get more
reps with the first team, so that when it
is my time to step into that role, I’ll be
ready to hit it head on.”
He might not have the medals or
experience of the defenders currently
ahead of him in the Bayern pecking
order, but, at 20 years old, Richards has
time, talent and unshakable self-
confidence on his side. The latest of the
Bundesliga’s American success stories
could be the most compelling yet.“I think it’s that the guys are finally
willing to step out of their comfort
zone and go to a new place,” Richards
suggests. “Here in Germany, it’s a lot
more technical than back home in the
States. I’m not saying that MLS isn’t
technical, but the Bundesliga – and
especially Bayern – it’s a completely
different level. These guys are playing
week in, week out, against some of the
best teams in Europe, whether it’s in the
Champions League or the Bundesliga.
At Bayern, you see their technique, their
pace and their fluidity with the ball is a
lot better than back home.
“I know a few players who haven’t
made the jump who could easily do it
- it’s just a matter of leaving their family
or leaving the environment they’re stuck
in and making the jump. It’s not100 per
cent that you’re going to make it, but
this new generation of Americans, we
Celebrating...He scored
four goals for Bayern’s
reserves in 2019-20Warm-up...Training
with the first team
ahead of Bayern’s
Champions League
quarter-final