Anthony Robinson Prepares for Return to USMNT
MARIETTA, Ga. — Anthony Robinson has been a mainstay in the USMNT’s starting lineup throughout this World Cup cycle. However, internally, he hasn’t always felt that certainty.
It’s not about superstition; rather, this season brought doubt as he struggled to recover from a knee surgery last spring.
Robinson missed national team camps in both September and November. He managed to show up in October, but wasn’t ready to play.
If he steps onto the pitch during Saturday’s friendly matches against Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta, it will mark his first game representing the United States since an October 2024 friendly.
“Honestly, I was very worried,” Robinson reflected on Friday, just before USMNT practiced at Atlanta United’s training facility. “I had surgery on my knee, and the rehabilitation didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped. I came back to train and play, but I wasn’t fully prepared yet.”
Thankfully, he feels fine now. He’s recently participated in three of Fulham’s last four matches in the Premier League, playing the full 90 minutes in two of those games. It seems reasonable to expect he’ll play for the national team in this upcoming stretch.
“Everything’s looking good at the moment,” he noted. “I’m available for every match and every training.”
But that previous rehab experience, particularly its stop-and-start nature—surgery in May, missing games in September, and then being sidelined from mid-October to mid-December—was challenging.
Robinson even mentioned seeking “outside help” during his recovery process.
“There were various thoughts on what I could do to get in better shape,” he explained. “I felt that helped, and I also underwent a series of injections to aid my healing. The club managed my workload really well, balancing the early part of the year and my return to action, which made a difference.”
Given his skills, it makes sense for him to fit into the left wing-back role within Mauricio Pochettino’s 3-4-3 system. At 28, Robinson has consistently been part of Fulham’s lineup, even starting every match during the 2022 World Cup.
Nonetheless, it has been a while since Robinson donned the national team’s colors, and there’s been significant change in the program. He emphasizes that he didn’t pause his involvement despite limited playing time. Joining the program in October, he felt was beneficial.
“In this camp, once we readjust, I was told that if you’re not training right, even just a bit of intensity can lead to quick declines. It felt manageable to get back into the groove. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve missed a beat with the guys,” Robinson said.
Yet, feeling ready and actually being able to perform are distinct, and that’s where the coming days will be crucial for him.
“Realistically, I haven’t played for the U.S. in over a year and a half. Honestly, I was uncertain about my fitness and ability to compete,” he admitted. “It felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel, but thankfully, I believe we’re past that now.”
“It’s thrilling to reconnect with the players, and this is my last opportunity to bond with the team before summer and prove I can still contribute. I really hope I get that chance.”
