Making the Case: Antonee Robinson for BioSteel U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year

In a year where he achieved his World Cup dream, USMNT defender Antonee Robinson also earned his first nomination for 2022 BioSteel U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year. 

• READ MORE: 2022 BioSteel Male Player of the Year Nominees

For the second year in a row, fans will have the opportunity to vote on select Player of the Year Awards, with the fan vote comprising 15% of the total vote. Nominees for all awards are selected by U.S. Soccer’s technical staff. Voting for the awards starts Thursday, Dec. 15 at 11:00 a.m. ET and closes on Dec. 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The winners will be announced in the weeks that follow.

• VOTE NOW: Fan Voting for Player of the Year Awards

Let’s take a look at some of Robinson’s highlights from 2022:

• After finishing tied for the joint lead in World Cup Qualifying appearances with 13, Robinson also tie for the team lead in appearances with a career high of 14 during 2022 and finishing second with 1,122 minutes played during the calendar year.

• His 52^nd minute strike helped the USA to a vital 1-0 win against El Salvador in World Cup Qualifying on Jan. 27, earning him Man of the Match honors in the process. 

• Exactly two months later, the active full back popped up with two assists to push the USA to a 5-1 win against Panama and virtually clinch qualification to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

• Robinson started all four matches for the USA in Qatar, playing all but one possible minute after making way as a late-game substitute in the Round of 16 match against Netherlands.

• Led the team with 40 recoveries and seven interceptions across the four World Cup matches. 

• On the club front, Robinson appeared in 18 league matches, registering a goal and assist in the second half of the 2021-22 campaign to help Fulham claim the 2021-22 EFL Championship title and automatic promotion to the Premier League, earning EFL Championship Team of the Season honors in the process.

• Robinson has continued his impressive display for Fulham in the EPL this season, appearing in 13 of a possible 15 matches, aiding Fulham to a ninth-place position prior to the World Cup break.

This is the 25-year-old Robinson’s first nomination for U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year.