When defender Miles Robinson exited Atlanta United’s match against Chicago Fire FC on May 7, Atlanta United fans weren’t the only ones holding their breath.
Fans of U.S. soccer were also looking on – and were gutted when the club confirmed on Monday that Robinson ruptured an Achilles tendon in his left leg.
Over the past several years, Robinson has not only played an integral role on Atlanta United’s back line – he took up the captain’s armband after teammate Brad Guzan went on the season-ending injury list. Robinson has also developed into a stalwart center back for his country. He’s made 21 appearances for the U.S. men’s national team and scored three goals, including the game-winner in the Gold Cup Final against Mexico.
“We are devastated for Miles,” said Gregg Berhalter, head coach of the U.S. men’s national team. “He had established himself as a top performer throughout last year and World Cup Qualifying. We will be thinking of him and wishing him a successful recovery process.”
Robinson played a major role in helping the U.S. men’s national team qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in Qatar later this year. The 25-year-old started 11 of the team’s World Cup Qualifying matches, including against Costa Rica on March 30 when the U.S. clinched their ticket to earn the nation’s first qualification since 2014.
Robinson had surgery on Monday, and teammates from both club and country met him with an outpouring of support:
“All I can say is we’re with you, we all love you and we are with you throughout the process. We are proud to call this team a family, and he’s one of our brothers. We’re going to be with him.” – Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda
“Miles has been here since the beginning when they’ve won championships here and won the Open Cup, so he’s had experience in that field. Obviously, he’s one of the best center backs in our league, the starting center back for our nation. And he leads by example on the field. He brings it every week. It’s obviously a tough loss.” – Atlanta United defender Alex De John
