MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) – Antony Robinson was worried about whether America would see Return of the Jedi.
Robinson, who nicknamed himself a Star Wars character as a child, had not played for the national team since November 2024 until Saturday’s 5-2 loss to Belgium. lingering pain Continue Right knee surgery on May 27th last year..
“It seemed like there was no light at the end of the tunnel,” he said on the eve of his return.
Robinson, a 28-year-old left-back, was a mainstay for Fulham in the Premier League and was a first-choice starter for the United States when healthy, providing assists. Weston McKennie scores first goal against Belgium Robinson’s first corner kick as an American.
“He needs to grow,” U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino said. “I want to see him at his best. And the challenge from here to the World Cup is for all the players to arrive at their best and perform the way we believe they can perform.”
Robinson grew up in Liverpool. His father, Marlon, was born in England and raised in White Plains, New York, where he played for Duke University’s soccer team from 1981 to 1984. Anthony comes from Everton’s youth ranks and made his professional debut in the League Cup in August 2017 while on loan at Bolton, before making his Premier League debut with Fulham in 2020.
His first appearance in the United States was in 2018. The chess player and pianist struck a unique chord in the U.S. locker room.
“He’s interested in a lot of different things, that’s for sure,” American captain Tim Ream said. “His brain works very differently than many of our brains.”
Robinson did not suit up for the opening game against Fulham on August 18, and came on as a substitute in the second half of the second and third games against the Cottage. He received a 23-day layoff and played the full League Cup match on 23 September, before making a substitute appearance in the Premier League five days later. He was then sidelined until December 13th, losing his starting role to Ryan Sessegnon.
Robinson returned to the starting lineup due to Sessegnon’s hamstring injury.
“I was able to get back to the club and get back into pretty good shape,” Robinson said. “I was able to cope with everything. I didn’t miss a training session and I made little progress in how I felt and translated that into the game and got back feeling and ready.”
As his rehabilitation continued to extend into the fall, Robinson felt he might be running out of time with the World Cup approaching.
“I wasn’t at all sure if I was fit enough to cope,” he recalled, explaining how he expanded his search for advice.
“I’m looking for outside help for my rehabilitation, I’m looking for different opinions and other things about how to change what I’m doing to get in better shape,” he said. “It could be a series of injections to encourage healing.”
His preparations have also progressed further.
“I’m the first one to come to the training ground because I know I have to do a lot in the gym before I train,” he said. “When I put the kids to bed at night, I do something extra to try to get myself into a good place, so yeah, it’s been a long journey, but I feel great.”
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