Alexis Nunes

soccer has named their male player of the year, and it is none other than Crystal Palace and U.S.

defender Chris Richards.

He beat out the likes of Malik Tillman and Matt Freeze for this honor, and they broke the news to him on the Pat McAfee Show.

All right, so we want to know, are you cool with it?

Like I said, Chris Richards beating out some names like Malik Tillman, Matt Freeze as well.

We know how much he has come into the forefront under Mauricio Pochettino.

Chris Richards getting pretty much almost 50% of the voting.

Herc, cool with it?

Jack, I had to be done.

I mean, like I said, he got almost 50% of the vote, so it's really hard to argue they're close.

Who would have been, Herc, who would have been a close second for you?

and the Community Shield as well, if you're going to be one of those that count that as a trophy.

But it is silverware, I suppose.

Shaka, what's probably been... Of course, we watch Chris Richards more so with Crystal Palace, and 2025 was just such a stunning year.

But what's been, I suppose, the most impressive thing about his progress in the last year?

And could it be his leadership, I suppose?

Because usually when we speak about...

Captain America's it's Christian Pulisic and of course Tyler Adams in a time where Tyler Adams unfortunately has had to contend with a lot of injuries but it takes me back to that friendly against Australia where they were getting really physical taking out the likes of Christian Pulisic and you guys were saying you wanted someone to stand up and be like hey don't do this don't let them go after your star player and we saw Chris Richards come in and be that person absolutely at a time where

He does have that in the well, that's probably an easy segment in terms of are you cool with it.

And if they aren't tell them to come see us we may get physical.