For six FC Dallas Homegrown players training with Bayern Munich during the offseason, Chris Richards is the perfect example of someone who has been in their shoes, who has played alongside some of them, and has made the move to the European champions.
And before Richards left on a loan deal with Hoffenheim, the 20-year-old center back caught up with Edwin Cerrillo, Justin Che, Ricardo Pepi, Dante Sealy, Brandon Servania and Thomas Roberts during their three-week training stint.
“It’s inspirational seeing him and his path and everything he’s done and accomplished so far,” Servania said. “It just shows us that it’s possible for us as well.”
The Homegrowns have been keeping up with Richards’ development, from his beginnings with the Bayern U-19 side to a successful first Bundesliga start in a 4-3 win over Hertha BSC in which he set up Robert Lewandowski’s second goal of the match.
“When he had his assist to Lewandowski, I was sitting in my bed just like wow,” Roberts said. “We were playing two years ago together and now he’s assisting the best striker in the world. It’s pretty cool.”
The six are the latest to go on the winter training stint with Bayern, as part of the two clubs partnership. For Sealy, it’s been an eye-opening experience.
“Bayern, a top club in the world, just won Champions League, to come here and be able to play and see what they have to provide is something we’ll all take home and remember forever,” Sealy said.
