MAKING THE CASE: Miles Robinson for BioSteel U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year
Robinson’s Breakout Year Pushed USMNT to Gold Cup Title, Positioned him Firmly in Center Back Conversation Hydrated by BioSteel
A breakout performer for the USMNT, 24-year-old center back Miles Robinson transformed from promising talent to proven commodity in 2021 to garner his first BioSteel U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year nomination.
· READ MORE: 2021 BioSteel Male Player of the Year Nominees
Before casting your ballot for U.S. Soccer’s 2021 Player of the Year awards, here’s a rundown of Robinson’s body of work for country and club this year:
- After having just two career caps at the start of the year, Robinson went on to lead all U.S. defenders with 13 appearances.
- He contributed to nine of the 10 clean sheets the USMNT recorded in 2021.
- Clearly earning the trust of the staff, he finished as one of three players to start six or more of the eight World Cup Qualifiers.
- At the attacking end, Robinson became the fifth defender in U.S. history to score three goals in a calendar year. That tally is good for second-most on the squad in 2021.
- None of the three goals were greater than 117th minute game-winner in the 2021 Gold Cup Final against Mexico that came with a championship medial, Man of the Match honors and selection to the tournament Best XI.
- Robinson’s memorable game-winner against Mexico was the latest goal ever scored by a USMNT player.
- The center back scored in his first career start, nodding home a diving header in the 52nd minute of the 7-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago on Jan. 31.
- Robinson nodded home his second career goal in the 50th minute of the 6-1 victory against Martinique in the Gold Cup group stage on July 15.
- For Atlanta United he contributed to seven shutouts as the club once again advanced to the MLS playoffs.
This is Robinson’s first nomination for Male Player of the Year.