Richards was surprised with the news during an interview on "The Pat McAfee Show," which aired on ESPN Wednesday. In addition to fan voting, votes for U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year are collected from national team coaches, USMNT players who earned a cap in 2025, members of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors, U.S. Soccer Athletes' Council, professional league head coaches and sporting directors, select media members and former players and administrators.