The Eagles have reached the final for the first time since 2016, and will be searching for their first trophy in the historic competition
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Crystal Palace defeat Aston Villa 3-0 in FA Cup semifinalsAdvance to competition final for first time since 2016USMNT's Richards earned clean sheet, Turner watched from benchFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
U.S. men's national team defender Chris Richards and goalkeeper Matt Turner have advanced to the FA Cup final with Crystal Palace after defeating Aston Villa 3-0 in their semifinal match on Saturday.
An opening strike from Eberechi Eze and a brace from Ismaila Sarr secured them victory on the day, and a spot in the final of the competition for the first time since 2016, and just the third in the competition's storied history.
Richards started the match and played all 90 minutes, while Turner sat on the bench as the backup to goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Villa, meanwhile, were without star attacker Marcus Rashford – who missed due to injury – and couldn't find a result without him.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Richards and the Palace defense put on a clinic against a loaded Villa attack including the likes of Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins. The U.S. international helped blank the opposition all match long, completing 71 percent of his passes, registering 44 touches on the ball and defensively, had six clearances.
By advancing to the final of the competition, Richards and Turner will have the opportunity to become the first Americans since Tim Howard in 2005 to lift the FA Cup trophy.
DID YOU KNOW?
Palace have never won the FA Cup, and have never won a major trophy in their history. Their last silverware came in England's second tier as champions in the 1978-79 and 1993-94 seasons, and then they found themselves victorious in the 1990-91 Full Members’ Cup.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR PALACE?
They will play the winner of the other semifinal between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest. The two teams clash Sunday morning, and the victor will then advance to the final against Richards and Co. on May 17 at Wembley Stadium.