Chris Richards’ parents, Ken and Carrie, have always been by his side for his small to biggest milestones, including his historic FA Cup victory with Crystal Palace on May 17, 2025, at Wembley Stadium, where they stood cheering from the stands.
In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Chris spoke emotionally about his parents’ presence, saying,
Seeing my mom and dad at Wembley today means everything. They’ve given up so much, and to share this with them is unreal.
Chris Richards was born on March 28, 2000, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Ken and Carrie Richards. The couple raised Chris and his two siblings: sister, Kenzie, and a younger brother, Christian.
His siblings are also athletic, let alone Chris. His sister plays volleyball, and his brother plays soccer and basketball.
Recognizing his potential, Ken and Carrie supported his decision to pursue soccer. His soccer journey began with local clubs in Alabama.
At age 14, Chris joined the FC Dallas Academy in Texas, a significant step that required him to leave home and live away from his family.
It was Ken and Carrie’s trust in his ambition and work ethic that allowed Chris to thrive in the competitive environment of the FC Dallas Academy.
Chris has often credited his parents for allowing him to follow his passion.
In a 2021 interview with The Athletic, Chris acknowledged the sacrifices his parents made, stating,
My parents gave up a lot for me to chase this dream. Me moving to Dallas at 14 wasn’t easy for them, but they saw how serious I was and backed me 100 percent.
Chris’s career trajectory took him from FC Dallas to Bayern Munich in 2018, a monumental leap to one of Europe’s top clubs.
Likewise, during this transition, Ken and Carrie supported him even as their son adapted to a new country and competitive level.
In a 2022 interview with ESPN, Chris again credited his parents, saying,
“They’ve been there through everything every move, every tough moment. They didn’t know soccer, but they learned it for me.”
Similarly, Ken and Carrie have also expressed their pride in Chris’ achievements.
American Soccer Star Chris Richards’ Father, Ken Richards, Played Collegiate Basketball!
Kenneth, best known as Ken, in particular, had a notable athletic background. He played college basketball at Birmingham-Southern College before embarking on a professional career that took him to Australia, Bolivia, and Iceland.
After his collegiate career, Ken pursued professional opportunities abroad, playing in Australia, Bolivia, and Iceland.
His athletic background gave him a deep understanding of the discipline and resilience required in professional sports, though his expertise was in basketball, not soccer.
Currently, Ken works as a financial advisor in Birmingham, Alabama, a career that has allowed him to provide stability for his family while supporting Chris’ ambitions.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Richards grew up in Hoover and started his soccer journey with Hoover SC before joining Texans SC Houston and later FC Dallas.
- In 2018, he went on trial with Bayern Munich and impressed enough to earn a loan, then a permanent deal. He made his Bundesliga debut in 2020 and even played in the UEFA Champions League.
