Atlanta United’s Miles Robinson doesn’t know if he did enough in his first two appearances with the U.S. men’s national team to earn another call-up, but he said Thursday that he enjoyed the experience and was happy with the way he competed.
Robinson made his debut in a 3-0 loss to Mexico on Sept. 6. He came on in the 58th minute. His second appearance came in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay. Robinson again came off the bench, this time in the 65th minute.
“It was a good experience all around,” the 22-year-old centerback said. “Meeting the guys was cool.”
The U.S. men’s national team will next play in the Nations League tournament against Cuba on Oct. 11 and against Canada on Oct. 15. The second legs will be Nov. 15 against Canada and Nov. 19 against Cuba.
Robinson said manager Gregg Berhalter said he was pleased with his performances. Robinson said the two watched a lot of film, with Berhalter giving him tips on how to improve when he has the ball, with his positioning and how to track opposing players who are trying to make runs behind him.
“I think he’s a really good coach in terms of trying to get most out of his players, or getting his players to understand,” Robinson said. “We had a lot of meetings to go through it. He’s clear and precise with wording and detail.”
Robinson didn’t agree with after-the-fact criticism of Berhalter’s desire to try to play out of the back against a pressing Mexican team.
“You go out there trying to win, but don’t want to be scared to play a certain style because of the opponent,” Robinson said. “We weren’t scared. We were brave. That’s something he preached.”
Robinson said Berhalter’s system is different than what Atlanta United plays, but execution comes down to understanding roles.
Atlanta United manager Frank de Boer said he thought Robinson played well and that the confidence gained should carry over to the club’s remaining six games in the regular season because he has such a steady personality.
“It gives you more responsibility, and I think he can deal with that,” de Boer said. “I think it makes him a better player.”
De Boer said he remembers the first of his 112 caps earned with Holland, which came in 1990 in Palermo vs. Italy.
“I was really bad,” he said.
De Boer was used as a wingback.
“I wasn't a wingback,” he said.
He was nervous and he said when a player is nervous, his legs will blow up. In 50-60 minutes, de Boer had five crosses, but his legs were gone.
“I don't look really good back on that,” he said.
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