Miles Robinson had enjoyed a fairy tale of a past year, carrying over his dominance with Atlanta United into a starting role with the U.S. men’s national team, but that dream may have turned into a nightmare on Saturday night after a potentially serious leg injury that could threaten his chances of playing in the FIFA World Cup.
Robinson was stretchered off in the 18th minute of Atlanta United’s 4-1 win vs. the Chicago Fire after suffering a non-contact injury to his left leg. The U.S. men’s national team defender was in clear frustration while laying on the turf at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, seeming to know he just suffered an injury that could force him to be sidelined for a long period of time.
“I think it’s going to be a bad injury, I hope it’s not, but we will have to see. It’s very unfortunate for him.” Pineda said on the Five Stripes’ FOX broadcast.
“Just heartbreaking,” said right back Brooks Lennon postmatch about Robinson’s injury. “In the first half, it really shook us as a team. It took us 15-20 minutes to kind of regroup. I don’t know if you could tell when he went down, we were losing possession of the ball. I think we were all kind of stunned. We’re praying for him, we wish him a speedy recovery. Just another blow to the team, which is not great for us.”
Robinson has been one of the best central defenders in MLS since returning to the first team in 2019. Robinson has totaled 117 career appearances in league play, scored two goals, been named to the MLS All-Star team once (2021), and earned MLS Best XI honors twice (2019,2021).
Robinson’s impressive rise in MLS has also carried over to the USMNT, where he has earned 19 caps since the start of 2021. He scored the winning goal for the Americans in a 1-0 extra time victory over Mexico in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Final and was also named to the tournament’s Best XI.
The Massachusetts native started in 11 of the USMNT’s 14 World Cup Qualifiying matches, helping Gregg Berhalter’s side clinch a berth to Qatar 2022.
Robinson’s injury comes almost exactly a year after USMNT defender Aaron Long suffered a torn Achilles. Long’s injury opened the door for a starting role in central defense that Robinson eventually made his own. Long has made a full recovery from the injury and has been one of the best defenders in MLS this season.
I would normally want players logging heavy minutes in the lead up to Qatar. These days, I’m thinking bubble wrap and bean bag chairs are better for match fitness.
I hope this is not as bad as the article makes it sound,
Reyna, Sargent, Dest, Richards, Dike, McKinnie, and now M. Robinson and Pefok have long-term injuries. 4 of those guys would be starters on almost anyone’s projection of WC starters. Fortunately it looks like most of them will be back this summer (but maybe not by June). The unknown is who will be healthy in the last few months leading up to Qatar.
The US is still thin at left fullback (or left wingback) and there is no clear 1st, much less 2nd choice striker.
It’s been confirmed, Miles has a torn achilles tendon and will miss the WC…freaking heart breaking for him and the USMNT, and at this point all of these injuries are becoming comical in that it’s unbelievable they are all happening at the same time pretty much!
Hate to say it but Brooks getting regular minutes at Wolfsburg even though he’s on his way out. Not sure how he wouldn’t get a call up for Junes games and perhaps become a starter again. Would anybody rather have Aaron Long over Brooks?
It’s not about what us fans want, it’s about what Greg wants and it’s clear that Greg doesn’t see Brooks as fitting in with what he wants from his CB’s, as it’s been rumored that his lack of athleticism and one v one defending and in transition is not n par with the other options! I for one think Brooks should be called in to at least see if he can turn the corner on what Greg wants, but if he’s not called in or misses out on Qatar I won’t be angry about it. Players in the past deserving of a WC spot have been left off of WC rosters, no one more popular to the fanbase than arguably our best ever player in Landon Donovan by Jurgen Klinsmann, and at that time Landon was probably still our best player, along with Dempsey. Point is it happens and I don’t think we should be making a big fuss about one player tbh, especially since it seems Greg has done a good job building depth at CB, Jurgen couldn’t make that claim
Man, at this point it’s almost comical the number of injuries we have to our top players right now. It looks like Miles suffered a achilles injury which would more than likely keep him out of Qatar, but as others have said Greg did a great job of building depth and hopefully the fall off isnt too steep
This is turning into Squid Game.
We may be bringing USL guys to the World Cup if this keeps up.
This is his 1st go round trying to balance club & international play. He played every match in the 22’ GC. (MLS mid-season). Logged over 1000+ minutes with the Five Stripes. 990 + minutes in WCQ. I’m surprised his body didn’t break down sooner. You can’t go miles & miles without having a flat. (Pun not intended). He’s closer to 25, and physically gifted, if his body (and Pefok’s) is breaking down after a long season(s). How well do you think players younger than Miles, who’s bodies are not fully developed, will hold up? “They’re young & can run forever” crowd, has to understand how many matches players are playing in today’s game, especially the always expanding MLS. If this injury is serious, I hope he has a safe recovery, without rushing to be ready for the WC. He had a stellar ‘22 for club & country!
as predicted, injuries to key players will make GB’s job increasingly more difficult. Thus the kudos to him and staff for developing the depth. Will it matter? who knows but he’s done well in that department imo and it will be tested, and needed
And Pefok got a leg injury. Half the national team seems to be injured right now. It’s good to have depth, but it would be even better if we didn’t have so many injuries.
Gary- all the debate about which players should be in camp might become moot; it might end up just being whoever is healthy. Ughh ..