Atlanta United: Miles Robinson primed for 2019 break out

Based on early preseason friendlies, it looks like Miles Robinson will play an important role for Atlanta United this season. Will 2019 be a breakout year?

Most people know one of Atlanta United’s first-round draft picks from 2017. Julian Gressel is a household name in MLS. The young German, drafted out of Providence college, impressed during his rookie year in 2017, winning MLS Rookie of the Year honors in his first season. He followed up that stellar year with an even more impressive 2018, tying for first on the team in assists with 14, good enough to match MLS MVP runner-up, Miguel Almiron.

What most people don’t realize is that Atlanta United’s first pick in franchise history wasn’t actually Gressel. They grabbed Gressel eighth overall in 2017, but they also picked second overall that season, taking center-back Miles Robinson.

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Robinson, a Generation Adidas player, attended Syracuse University for two years before being drafted by the Five Stripes. He was loaned to the Charleston Battery in 2017, therefore failing to make an appearance with the Atlanta first team that season.

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In 2018, Robinson made his first start against LAFC in April, logging a full 90 minutes. He made two more starts in the regular season and appeared a total of ten times. In the playoffs, Robinson was called upon to start against New York City FC after Jeff Larentowicz picked up an injury in the previous leg. Robinson performed admirably, again logging a full 90 minutes.

He is definitively not the flashiest player on the roster but is grabbing some attention in both the local and national media. MLS’s Bobby Warshaw highlighted Robinson as a player with the potential to break out this season. Locally, Doug Roberson at the Atlanta Journal Constitution also reported on Robinson as the preseason has progressed. Roberson highlighted Robinson’s newfound confidence under new coach Frank de Boer’s staff. With the time Robinson is spending on the pitch with the first team through their first two friendlies, that confidence is very apparent.

I am a firm believer that Robinson can improve greatly this season under the new coaching staff. Robinson is just 21 years old, meaning there is plenty of room to grow and improve as a player. Plus, after being drafted in 2017, he now has two years of professional playing experience. Although he hasn’t made many appearances professionally, some experience is better than no experience.

Robinson enters 2019 with another advantage: MLS playoff experience. When Robinson got the nod at center-back against NYCFC, Atlanta was only leading 1-0 on aggregate. He was thrust into a line-up that achieved defensive success in the match prior and he had to play in an environment that featured over 70,000 people in attendance.

It is important to note that Franco Escobar is currently recovering from a broken bone in his shoulder, so that may contribute to Robinson’s new minutes. Escobar is not expected to return until a few games into both Champions League play and MLS league play. While Escobar returns to fitness, Robinson can continue to impress the new coaching staff and teammates alike, earning more minutes along the way.

As Atlanta prepares for competitive play in Champions League and MLS league play, Robinson may see more minutes, regardless of how fit his teammates are. Leandro Gonzalez Pirez looks to lock down a consistent role as a center-back and will most likely play in all matches. However, because of Michael Parkhurst’s age, there may be more rotations among players along the back line. Florentin Pogba will provide depth, but as Escobar becomes fit and the team plays more games, it looks like Robinson will get his chance to impress those who tune in for Atlanta’s games.

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If he can take those chances, then he is in prime position to break out in 2019. Keep your eyes on Miles Robinson.

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