FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — To the extent there was ever any question over whether Antonee Robinson would make the World Cup roster for the U.S. men’s national team, it was injury-related.
Robinson, nicknamed “Jedi,” had started for the USMNT at the last World Cup and at Copa America, while establishing himself as one of the better left backs in England’s Premier League over the past four years.
He missed time at the start of this season with injury, and didn’t have the season he would have wanted at Fulham, as another knock in February set him back. Realistically, though, there was no version of the USMNT that didn’t have Robinson as a likely starter, let alone on the roster itself.
Even so, Robinson called it “a massive relief” to be named to the roster when the texts came in two Fridays ago.
“The year I’ve had, and the ups and downs personally I’ve had with injury and being out of the team and whatnot,” Robinson said. “In terms of the World Cup coming up and people saying to me, are you excited to get out there? Everyone, I’ve said the same thing, I’m truly not gonna be excited until I’m on the plane and over there. So yeah, it was a massive relief to be added into that group chat and be told I was coming.”
The reason Robinson is so integral to this group was affirmed with his performance in the 3-2 win over Senegal on Sunday.
Robinson was constantly around the ball in the first half before head coach Mauricio Pochettino substituted nearly every player. His combination play with Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie stood out, and he produced a chance from the top of the box that was blocked 31 minutes in.
It was far from a perfect afternoon — Robinson’s giveaway near midfield also led directly to Senegal’s opening goal late in the first half. Offensively, though, his importance to the USMNT’s success was obvious.
“Going into [the World Cup] now with a lot more experience throughout the team, I think we know what to do and what not to do and just the expectations of how tournament soccer can go,” Robinson said last week. “Not necessarily having to play the best football, but having to find the way to win in each individual game and the challenges that can bring.”
Chris Richards (ankle) and Tyler Adams (load management) trained separately from the team Tuesday.
After sporting a wrap on his ankle Saturday, Brenden Aaronson didn’t have one Tuesday.
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