Atlanta United: With playoffs approaching, Miles Robinson absence disastrous

Miles Robinson withdrew from the USMNT camp with a hamstring injury, putting his availability in jeopardy for Atlanta United’s first playoff game. His absence would be disastrous for the Five Stripes.

The first round of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs begins this Saturday at 1:00 PM, with Atlanta United hosting the New England Revolution. Atlanta are in the middle of their postseason preparation. Yet, the Five Stripes may play this first game (or more depending on the result) without their second-best player.

No one can argue that reigning league MVP Josef Martinez is the team’s most important player. Yet, Miles Robinson is almost equally as critical to this Atlanta United team. His play this season has been a revelation and a key reason for the team’s successes throughout the year. His teammates have even spoken about how Robinson’s defensive abilities allow the team to play their most comfortable style.

Robinson’s importance became apparent way back in preseason when manager Frank de Boer began starting him at center-back. At the time, not many had Robinson penciled in as a starter for the first few matches of the season, let alone the full campaign. Now in October, with the entire MLS season completed, no one question his capability or standing. Robinson started in 33 of 34 matches and appeared in all 34, in addition to all of the team’s CONCACAF Champions League matches and U.S. Open Cup matches.

The club announced on Tuesday morning that Robinson is week-to-week with a left hamstring injury, meaning he will most likely miss the first playoff match and potentially the second if Atlanta advance. And without Robinson, that is now a big ‘if’.

Atlanta and manager de Boer have a couple of options when it comes to playing without Robinson. They can stay with three center-backs in their preferred 3-5-2, perhaps turning to Michael Parkhurst in Robinson’s stead, or they can switch to four defensive backs and just two center-backs in a standard 4-3-3.

The upside to the 3-5-2 system with Parkhurst introduced is the lack of disruption to the rest of the team and the formation, as well as Parkhurst’s in-game smarts and veteran leadership in the heat of battle. The downside is Parkhurst’s athleticism compared to Robinson, who is stronger and faster than the soon-to-be-retiring American.

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In the 4-3-3, there would be a bit more shuffling on the field. De Boer could play Florentin Pogba at left center-back and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez at right center-back, with Franco Escobar at right full-back. This leaves two problems: Julian Gressel is no longer at wing-back and there is no suitable left-back. Gressel could play right-wing, although that would keep him higher up the field than usual and could disrupt his excellent form.

As for the left-back situation, it is possible to play George Bello, although he hasn’t seen minutes with the first team since the first competitive game of the season back in February. Mikey Ambrose is another option, although he hasn’t seen any first-team minutes since July 7 when he started and played 90 minutes against the New York Red Bulls.

De Boer might also decide to play Jeff Larentowicz as a defensive midfielder who drops back in between the center-backs. If this were the case, he would help form the backline along with Pogba and Gonzalez-Pirez. This could lead to Justin Meram playing left=back and Gressel playing right-back, although, in reality, those would be wing-back positions instead, thus keeping the 3-5-2 intact.

It cannot be understated just how big of a blow to the team Robinson’s injury is. His athleticism and smarts have bailed out his teammates many times throughout the season, including against New England on Decision Day just two weeks ago.

With Robinson most likely missing this Saturday’s playoff match against that very New England, fans should not be surprised if the Five Stripes lose. That’s how important Miles Robinson has been for Atlanta United in 2019.