Atlanta United centerback Miles Robinson was called to the U.S. men’s national team Thursday for its coming World Cup qualifying games.
Robinson, 24, has 14 appearances and scored three goals for the U.S. He has become a regular starter for the national team during the past year. The team has allowed only three goals in Robinson’s past 11 appearances. Its only loss during its past 12 games came when Robinson wasn’t in the lineup at Panama.
The U.S. is scheduled to play Mexico on Nov. 12 in Cincinnati and Jamaica on Nov. 16 in Kingston. Players will begin reporting to training camp Sunday.
The U.S. is second in the CONCACAF standings with 11 points. It trails Mexico by three points.
“Our focus remains on a next-game-up mentality,” U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter said in a statement issued by U.S. Soccer. “After this window we’ll be more than halfway through the Octagonal, so we have a chance to position ourselves well heading into next year. When it comes to USA-Mexico, I’m excited for our players because it isn’t just a game - it’s an event. This is the best of World Cup qualifying, and our group is ready for the challenge.”
Other centerbacks called up include former Philadelphia player Mark McKenzie, who competes for Genk in Belgium; Chris Richards, who plays for Hoffenheim in Germany; and Lawrenceville native Walker Zimmerman, who plays for Nashville.
Robinson, a candidate for MLS Defender of the Year, has 25 appearances for Atlanta United this season, which is fifth in the MLS East with one game remaining.
If Atlanta United qualifies for the playoffs, its first game would be no earlier than Nov. 20.
Also called into the team was Lilburn native Sean Johnson, a goalkeeper for NYCFC.
The roster
Player (club; appearances/goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 9/0), Zack Steffen (Manchester City/ENG; 24/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 12/0)
DEFENDERS (9): Reggie Cannon (Boavista/POR; 22/1), Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 8/0), Chris Richards (Hoffenheim/GER; 4/0), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 17/1), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 14/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 0/0), Sam Vines (Royal Antwerp/BEL; 8/1), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray/TUR; 69/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 20/2).
MIDFIELDERS (7): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 42/2), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig/GER; 20/1), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 7/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 33/8), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 27/7), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 9/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 29/0).
FORWARDS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg/AUT; 13/5), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 41/8), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 2/2), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; 4/3), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 40/16), Tim Weah (Lille/FRA; 16/1).
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