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SBI USMNT Man of the Match: Miles Robinson

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On a night when the U.S. men’s national team came up against its most physically-gifted offensive opponent, Miles Robinson was up to the task to lead the way.

The Atlanta United defender helped Gregg Berhalter’s side reach the Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals, leading the backline in a strong defensive performance in a 1-0 quarterfinal win over Jamaica to earn SBI USMNT Man of the Match honors for the second straight match.

Robinson helped silence a Jamaica attack known for its aggressiveness and pace. Up against Cory Burke for most of the evening, Robinson was able to keep the Philadelphia Union striker under wraps, while also stepping in to help stop other threats all over the field.

Robinson finished the match with a game-high 11 individual battles won, seven aerial battles won, and five clearances.

Even with some late lineup changes forced by Jamaica, Robinson helped keep the Reggae Boyz frustrated, standing in the way of Junior Flemmings late effort and helping the USMNT grind out the clean sheet win.

What did you think of Robinson’s performance? Who was your pick for Man of the Match?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. If a primary objective of the GC was building depth for WCQ, then we have seen a few standouts, and in those positions where we need additional depth. There are 3 games each WCQ break, and it will be exhausting Everyone on the roster will need to contribute.

    Can we see Robinson/Sands/Busio/Acosta/Hoppe/Turner/Vines/Moore stepping in during this cycle with injuries and other factors, and playing with a higher level of confidence? I think so.

    Robinson was MOTM in this one. But it was a team effort.

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  2. Hoppe and Turner are def runner ups but Miles Robinson deserved it. He was amazing tonight. For the first time I now view him as a possible A team CB. If he plays like this against Qatar and whoever then he deserves to get the nod with JB

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    • Richard’s is better than Robinson when healthy but the gold cup definitely accomplished the goal of providing depth at CB. Acosta in my mind has solidified himself as Adams back up. He was a bit sloppy with his forward passing but was a beast defensively. Moore put himself squarely in the conversation. It’s amazing that we have 4 RB that I would have no concerns to start a WCQ game (and a few more in the pipeline) but we have maybe 1.5 LBs. The number 9 spot remains open. Sargent needs to be on a team with some decent midfielders when he is allowed to play as a center forward. Then we would know what he can do beyond work really hard. Think Pepi needs a shot if he will accept it.

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      • I have seen Richards play more than a couple times in the past season and while there is no denying his speed, he seems apt to make careless giveaways. In the back those can be deadly. Richards may be more flashy than Robinson, but defensively he is suspect. Of course, the competition each faces is different and Robinson might commit more give-aways when faced by better competition, but those mental errors I’ve sen Richards make are not really the result of the opposition.

  3. I agree that in the attack only Hoppe seemed willing to go at the Jamaican defense consistently, others were just passing back or getting stuck along the touch line with few attempts to go at the defense quickly.
    Still, Robinson deserved it more because he prevented many good chances by Jamaica from developing and frustrated the attackers with well-timed tackles.

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  4. I think Hoppe was equally deserving and not just because of the goal. He was the offensive player who did the most to put pressure on the Jamaica defense. I’d call it a tie and give it to both. Both players deserve strong consideration for the roster in WC qualifying.

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    • Would agree. Guys who are really making a case for the qualifying roster right now from this team are Robinson, Sands, Hoppe, and of course, Lletget. Turner probably has secured a keeper spot; he’s been incredibly solid all tourney. Busio’s shown plenty for the future but I don’t think he’ll be ready for Qater. Dike’s shot up at the beginning and has sunk like a stone the last two games.
      Two guys who might have just fended off challenges are Zardes and Acosta. No, neither of them are world-beaters but who’s displaced them this tourney? The longer this tourney has gone the taller they’ve stood.

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      • I’m not a Zardes fan at all, but last night he made things happen. Dike was a non factor, even factoring his lack of service. Zardes hit a laser at Blake right after coming on, and he managed to distract Blake on the winning cross so Hoppe had a free header. Our striker pool is not as good as some think. Odds are, IMO, that Zardes makes it and Altidore doesn’t,

      • Lletget was horrible last night. Couldn’t connect a pass and his delivery on set pieces was terrible. He is often invisible when he plays with the first team and against lower Concacaf teams he isn’t bossing anything. He constantly slows down the attack and often places the ball into situations on the sidelines where the us is at a numbers disadvantage. Having him written in Pen as first team starter is one of Berhalter’s most glaring mistakes. I’d take Pomykal over him right now.

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