Chris Richards has been reduced to only five senior appearances through the opening two months of Crystal Palace’s 2023-24 season, but overall the American defender is trying to make the most of his situation.

Richards, who is in his second season with the Eagles in the English Premier League, has been forced to wait for his turn in Roy Hodgson’s defensive pecking order. The 23-year-old is joined by Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen, and James Tomkins at centerback, all of whom who have more European experience than the former FC Dallas academy product.

Although Richards has been limited to just three starts in all competitions this season, the Alabama native admitted his club experiences have helped him prepare for what’s next with the USMNT.

“I think playing with, and, at the same time, playing against, world-class players, it really elevates your game regardless of if it’s here or if it’s at Palace,” Richards said Monday in a press conference.

“I like to use the minutes I get at Palace to prove why I should play here and vice versa. I use every day as a way to get better. There is a lot of depth, not just in the centerback pool, but also in the whole pool in general, so now being here really just seems to elevate my game.”

Richards, a former Bayern Munich player, will have the opportunity on Saturday to face off with several of his former club teammates. He featured heavily for Bayern’s U-19 and U-23 teams during his time in Germany, while also earning Bundesliga experience while on loan at Hoffenheim.

Germany is currently 2-4-1 so far in 2023, most recently handing the reins over to Julian Nagelsmann as head coach following a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Japan in September. The Germans have plenty of talent in their squad including Jamal Musiala, Ilkay Gundogan, and Leroy Sane, as well as veterans Thomas Muller and Niklas Sule.

Although Germany has had a below-standard year in terms of results, Richards is expecting their best on Saturday afternoon in Connecticut.

“I think regardless of recent results, we have the most respect for Germany and I don’t think anybody looks at the schedule and sees Germany and thinks it’s going to be an easy win,” Richards said. “I think regardless of what team Germany puts out there, regardless of what’s going on in the background, we know they’re going to field a strong team.

“And having played in Germany for four-ish years, you kind of tend to learn the German mentality and they’re all work, no play. So we expect a game like that this weekend and really looking forward to winning,” he added.