USA Defender's Rubber Chicken Becomes World Cup Lucky Charm

A rubber chicken named Paxo is now an unofficial member of the USA World Cup squad, and the team couldn't be playing better.

Chris Richards scooped up the toy after Crystal Palace won the UEFA Conference League final in Germany last month. What started as a silly photo opportunity with the trophy has turned into a good luck charm traveling with Richards' parents to World Cup matches in the United States.

The timing couldn't be better. Richards returned from an ankle injury that nearly kept him out of the tournament and has been absolutely dominant on the field.

Against Paraguay, he made history by completing all 83 of his pass attempts. Against Australia, he went 91 of 95 passes. His 97.8% accuracy through two games is the second-best for any player attempting at least 100 passes at a World Cup since 1966.

Richards is anchoring a USA defense that just recorded its first clean sheet in 11 games with a 2-0 shutout against Australia. Goalkeeper Matt Freese summed up the team's relief simply: "One clean sheet sounds great. Two, three, four clean sheets sounds a lot better."

The 24-year-old's journey to this moment has been anything but straightforward. FC Dallas rejected him at 16, though he made their academy a year later. After just one season in MLS, he took a leap to German giant Bayern Munich.

An injury kept Richards out of the 2022 World Cup, making this tournament especially meaningful. When he hurt his ankle in May, he feared the worst. Now he's the undisputed leader of the back line.

Sunny's Take

His teammates are noticing the difference Richards makes. Fellow defender Mark McKenzie praised his presence on the field, while veteran Tim Weah called him "one of the most important players on the team."

Most of the squad hasn't even met Paxo yet. When asked about the rubber chicken, defender Auston Trusty looked confused: "A chicken? That's the first I've heard of it."

Richards just laughs about whether he'll introduce his feathered friend to the locker room. "Not yet," he said. "We'll see."

Whether Paxo brings actual luck or just smiles, Richards and the USA are rolling with two wins in two World Cup games. Sometimes the best mascots are the ones nobody planned for.