Chris Richards on red card controversy, U.S.-Belgium match: "Business as usual"
U.S. Men's National Team defender Chris Richards spoke with "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil in an interview ahead of the knockout match against Belgium.
U.S. Men's National Team defender Chris Richards said he gives credit to teammate Folarin Balogun after FIFA lifted the striker's red card suspension .
Speaking on the controversy ahead of the win-or-go-home World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium, Richards told "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil he didn't have insight into how the appeal against Balogun's suspension went down, but he praised his teammate's conduct after he was sent off the field last week after colliding with Tarik MuharemoviΔ of Bosnia-Herzegovina in a tackle.
"Maybe it was the way that Flo conducted himself after the red card ... I think maybe that opened the door for potentially this decision," Richards said. "I give a lot of credit to Flo. He could have obviously gone the other direction with his response, but it is very refreshing that we got this decision."
"Business as usual" ahead of U.S.-Belgium World Cup match
Richards said FIFA's decision to lift the one-match suspension, which came after President Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino last week, was a "big relief" for Balogun and gives the team more confidence going into a tough match against Belgium.
"All week long, we trained with Flo. In training, he hasn't missed a day. So for us, it's business as usual," Richards told CBS News. "When you have your starting guy who's been scoring a lot of goals for you this tournament, I think it definitely gives you maybe an extra ounce of confidence that you need."