Crystal Palace made history on Saturday evening as they stunned reigning English champions Manchester City 1-0 to lift their first-ever Emirates FA Cup title at Wembley Stadium.
Eberechi Eze Fires Palace to Glory
In a tightly contested final, England international Eberechi Eze scored the only goal of the match in the first half, giving the Eagles a dream start. Manchester City piled on the pressure in the second half, but Palace’s defense held firm.
USMNT’s Chris Richards Delivers Defensive Masterclass
Palace’s victory was powered by a standout performance from 25-year-old U.S. international Chris Richards, who marshalled the defense with precision. He kept City’s potent attack — including Erling Haaland — quiet for the entire 90 minutes.
Richards recorded 12 clearances (7 headers), made 4 blocks, and completed 82% of his passes, showing elite composure and strength under pressure. His performance was key to Palace’s clean sheet and ultimate triumph.
Matt Turner Earns FA Cup Medal
Fellow American and USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner was named on the bench and earned a winner’s medal despite not featuring in the game. With this win, Richards and Turner become the second and third Americans to lift the FA Cup after Tim Howard’s 2004 victory with Manchester United.
Dean Henderson Saves Penalty to Seal the Win
A turning point in the match came when goalkeeper Dean Henderson saved a crucial penalty from Egyptian striker Omar Marmoush, denying City an equalizer and keeping Palace’s lead intact.
Did You Know?
Though Christian Pulisic and John Harkes previously featured in FA Cup finals, neither managed to lift the trophy. Pulisic notably scored in Chelsea’s 2020 final but lost to Arsenal. Saturday’s victory marks a rare and proud moment for US soccer history.
What’s Next for Palace and USMNT Stars?
Crystal Palace will celebrate this historic win as they gear up to finish their Premier League campaign against Wolverhampton and Liverpool. For Richards and Turner, eyes now turn to the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup, with hopes of making the final USMNT squad.
