Robinson, Atlanta United MLS Champions
12/8/2018 11:21:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Former Orange Miles Robinson and Atlanta United claimed the MLS Cup in just their second season in the league with a 2-0 victory against the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Dec. 8. It marks the second consecutive year that a former Syracuse player has played for the MLS Cup champion.
Â
The Five Stripes scored the only goal they would need in the 39th minute when the Timbers turned the ball over in their defensive end and MLS MVP Josef Martinez scored his 35th goal of the year. Martinez helped Atlanta tally an insurance goal when he assisted on Franco Escobar's goal in the second half. The match was played in front of a crowd of 73,019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is a MLS Cup record.
Â
Robinson, who was Atlanta United's first-ever draft pick in 2017, helped the squad in its playoff run. He was part of the starting XI during the Eastern Conference quarterfinals after Jeff Larentowicz was sidelined with an injury, a match the Five Stripes won 3-1 over New York City FC. Robinson played in 10 games this season, with three of those appearances being starts. He made his MLS debut against Los Angeles in April, where he recorded a shot on goal.
Â
The Arlington, Mass. native played for the Orange for two years before signing a Generation adidas contract after his sophomore season. He was a semifinalist for the Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Hermann Award as well as a first-team All-American in 2016. Robinson was voted the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Defensive Player of the Year and was a first-team All-ACC selection. He was the No. 2 selection in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Atlanta United.
Â
Â
The Five Stripes scored the only goal they would need in the 39th minute when the Timbers turned the ball over in their defensive end and MLS MVP Josef Martinez scored his 35th goal of the year. Martinez helped Atlanta tally an insurance goal when he assisted on Franco Escobar's goal in the second half. The match was played in front of a crowd of 73,019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is a MLS Cup record.
Â
Robinson, who was Atlanta United's first-ever draft pick in 2017, helped the squad in its playoff run. He was part of the starting XI during the Eastern Conference quarterfinals after Jeff Larentowicz was sidelined with an injury, a match the Five Stripes won 3-1 over New York City FC. Robinson played in 10 games this season, with three of those appearances being starts. He made his MLS debut against Los Angeles in April, where he recorded a shot on goal.
Â
The Arlington, Mass. native played for the Orange for two years before signing a Generation adidas contract after his sophomore season. He was a semifinalist for the Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Hermann Award as well as a first-team All-American in 2016. Robinson was voted the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Defensive Player of the Year and was a first-team All-ACC selection. He was the No. 2 selection in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Atlanta United.
Â
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's SoccerPost-Match Interview | Syracuse vs. Hofstra
Friday, November 21
Syracuse Men's Soccer Postgame Show
Thursday, November 20
Syracuse Men's Soccer
Thursday, November 20
Syracuse Men's Soccer Pregame Show
Thursday, November 20
