The World Cup is just a week away and to mark the occasion, The Run-Through invited US Men's Soccer Team player Chris Richards on the podcast. Vogue fútbol fiends Taylor Antrim and Alyssa Hardy sit down with the young defender to talk about the journey to his first World Cup.

Richards grew up in Hoover, Alabama, a town where American football reigns supreme. “Everybody knew everybody,” he explains, “and a lot of the kids that played soccer were also the kicker for the football team.” Soccer was hardly deemed a viable option. “I had teachers laugh at me when I told them I wanna do this for a living,” Richards tells the podcast, “But I just kept my head down and decided I wanted to prove them wrong. And I think I've done pretty well at that.”

Fresh off an ankle injury, Richards is busy doing strength exercises and massaging the swelling down. He’ll be sitting out the final friendlies match against Germany this weekend but is planning to play once the World Cup officially begins next week. “It feels like everybody's still kind of holding their breath.”

They also chat about finding community through his time playing for Bayern Munich and Crystal Palace. “London is a beautiful place to find yourself. [South London] reminded me a lot of home—it’s very hardworking and there are tons of cultures that I’ve been really excited to dive into.” The development of his personal style he also credits to his time abroad, being inspired by the influences of his teammates.

Also on the episode, Chloe and Chioma catch up after some time apart. For the first time, Chloe served on the committee for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and had a part in determining the ten finalists. Chioma tells Chloe all about her time at the three-day British Vogue Wellness Retreat at Estelle Manor in the English countryside. Chioma, a wellness enthusiast, was in her happy place and where she got to participate in conversations around women’s health and also activities like axe throwing and archery.

Other important news out of England this week was the wedding of Dua Lipa and Callum Turner at Marylebone Town Hall—at the same location where Chioma’s parents wed many years ago! And if things couldn’t get more exciting, Chioma met one of her all time favorite ladies at SXSW London: the Michelle Obama!

The Run-Through with Vogue is your go-to podcast where fashion meets culture. Hosted by Chloe Malle, Head of Editorial Content, Vogue U.S.; Chioma Nnadi, Head of British Vogue; and Nicole Phelps, Director of Vogue Runway, each episode features the latest fashion news and exclusive designer and celebrity interviews.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Team USA’s Chris Richards on Preparing For His First World Cup

The Run-Through with Vogue

Team USA’s Chris Richards on Preparing For His First World Cup