Richards' Moment of Glory

On This Day in 2021, the Bayern Munich Loanee Delivered a Stoppage-Time Header to Secure a Victory for Hoffenheim

Chris Richards arrived at Bayern Munich in January 2019 as a 19-year-old prospect from FC Dallas, where he'd come through the academy system. The Alabama native was immediately assigned to Bayern Munich II in Germany's third tier, and he took to the challenge with determination. In his first full season, Richards appeared in 30 matches for the reserves, scoring four goals and helping the team capture the 3. Liga title and earn promotion to the 2. Bundesliga.

His path to first-team minutes at Bayern proved steep. Despite praise from head coach Hansi Flick and regular training sessions with the senior squad, Richards managed only sporadic appearances—a substitute debut against Freiburg in June 2020, a Champions League cameo in November, and a first start against Hertha Berlin in October, where he notched an assist in a 4-3 victory. The physical demands of German football presented challenges, and minor injuries to his ankle and calf disrupted his momentum.

Seeking regular playing time, Richards joined TSG Hoffenheim on loan in February 2021, making 11 Bundesliga appearances before returning to Bayern that summer. But the path forward was clear: Richards needed consistent minutes. On August 31, 2021, Bayern extended his contract through 2025 and loaned him back to Hoffenheim for the entire 2021-22 season, reuniting him with Sebastian Hoeneß, who had coached him at Bayern's reserves.

The timing couldn't have been better for Richards' international career. The young center-back had broken through with the U.S. Men's National Team during crucial World Cup qualifying matches that fall. He started in a vital 2-1 victory over Costa Rica on October 13, came off the bench in the statement 2-0 win over Mexico on November 12, and started again in a 1-1 draw with Jamaica on November 16. Richards was establishing himself as a reliable presence in the American defensive spine heading toward Qatar 2022.

Back at Hoffenheim, Richards quickly became a fixture in the starting lineup. He made his first appearance on September 11 in a 2-0 home loss to Mainz, but soon found his rhythm in Hoeneß's system. By December, Hoffenheim had climbed to the cusp of Champions League qualification, riding a three-match winning streak as they traveled to face Freiburg on December 11.

The match at Europa-Park Stadion started perfectly for the visitors. David Raum needed just three minutes to beat Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken from a tight angle after slipping past Lukas Kübler. But Freiburg responded through their own set-piece prowess. In the 21st minute, Nico Schlotterbeck rose to meet Vincenzo Grifo's corner and powered a header past Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann to level the score.

The match turned tense in the second half. Freiburg earned a penalty in the 56th minute when Christian Günter drew a foul from Kevin Akpoguma. Grifo stepped up, but Baumann dove to his right and pushed the spot kick away—Kevin Schade sent the rebound wide, and Hoffenheim had survived. As the clock ticked past 90 minutes, both teams pushed desperately for a winner. Hoffenheim substitutes Christoph Baumgartner and Pavel Kaderábek created chances, with Baumgartner's fierce strikes repeatedly forcing saves from Flekken. At the other end, Baumann made a crucial stop on Lukas Kübler in the 85th minute, deflecting his shot over the bar.

Then came the controversy and the heroics. Deep into stoppage time, Hoffenheim won a free kick that Freiburg's bench and the 750 permitted spectators vehemently disputed. The set piece led to a corner. Raum delivered an in-swinging ball toward the near post, and there was Richards, timing his run perfectly. The 21-year-old defender rose above the crowd and hammered his header into the top-left corner, beating Flekken at his near post. Richards wheeled away in celebration, engulfed by his teammates as the significance of the moment sank in. His first-ever senior goal—in his 36th career appearance between Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim—had come in the 94th minute to complete a comeback victory and vault Hoffenheim into fourth place, just one point behind third-place Bayer Leverkusen.

The dramatic winner extended Hoffenheim's winning streak to four matches and positioned them firmly in the race for European qualification. Richards had started his fourth consecutive match and his 15th of the season—a dramatic increase from his limited opportunities at Bayern. But the fairytale would have its limits. Richards continued as a regular starter through the holidays, playing in the draw with Leverkusen and the win over Augsburg to close out 2021. Yet a foot injury in late January and a hamstring issue in April ended his campaign prematurely. He finished the season with 20 Bundesliga appearances and 1,302 minutes played—a significant step forward in his development, even if the lone goal remained his only strike.

Hoffenheim finished ninth in the table, missing out on European qualification despite their promising position in December. The club opted not to exercise its purchase option, and Richards returned to Bayern Munich at the end of June 2022. Still, that December night in Freiburg represented something essential for Richards: proof that an American defender could deliver in Germany's top flight when it mattered most. In stoppage time, with Champions League hopes on the line, Richards had risen to meet the moment—literally—and given Hoffenheim three precious points they desperately needed. For one magical December evening, the kid from Birmingham, Alabama, was the hero of the Bundesliga.