Atlanta United centerback Miles Robinson said it’s “pretty awesome” to make the preliminary 40-man roster for the U.S. for the upcoming Gold Cup tournament.
“To be invited on that roster of players is pretty sweet with all the great players on the list,” he said. “It’s very humbling.”
Robinson said he found out he made the preliminary roster by email. He said he hasn’t yet spoken to U.S. national team manager Gregg Berhalter.
Robinson, 22, was Atlanta United’s first draft pick when it selected him with the No. 2 pick in the 2017 SuperDraft. He was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore at Syracuse in 2016.
After 10 appearances in Robinson’s first two seasons under previous manager Gerardo Martino, he is thriving under manager Frank de Boer with 12 appearances, 11 starts, in MLS and four starts in the Champions League. He has arguably been Atlanta United’s best and most consistent player this season. He helped the squad post five consecutive shutouts before the streak was snapped in Sunday’s 1-0 loss at New York Red Bulls.
Robinson said he thinks his skills would fit well within Berhalther’s preferred tactics where centerbacks are good organizers of the back line and can split opposing lines with passes.
Other centerbacks on the 40-man roster are: Tottenham’s Cameron Carter-Vickers, Club Atlas’ Omar Gonzalez, New York Red Bulls’ Aaron Long, Chelsea’s Matt Miazga and LAFC’s Walker Zimmerman, a Lawrenceville native.
Rosters will be reduced to 23 by the end of the first week of June. The tournament will start June 15 and the championship game will be held in Chicago on July 7.
Robinson has some international experience, making eight appearances with U.S. U20 national team in 2016 and two with the U23s earlier this year.
He and Carter-Vickers have played centerback together for the U20s and U23s.
About the Author
