Miles Robinson interview: World Cup dreams, injury recovery and a “delusional” belief

Four years on from a devastating injury that saw him ruled out of the 2022 World Cup, Miles Robinson may finally get the chance to represent his nation on the biggest stage in sport. The final USMNT roster will be announced later this month and, for Robinson, that moment has been a long time in the making.

The FC Cincinnati defender has been a national team regular for years. He made his senior USMNT debut in 2019; lifted the CONCACAF Nations League in 2023 and 2024; and scored an injury-time winner against Mexico in the final of the 2021 Gold Cup. But an Achilles injury suffered in May 2022 means that the 29-year-old is still waiting for his first World Cup appearance in the red, white and blue. His journey to this point has been a long one but dreams of playing at the World Cup have always been there.

“It’s one of those kind of distant goals that you don’t even think is possible until you get closer, and closer, and closer,” he tells AS USA. “Then you’re like, oh, maybe this is gonna happen. I just had to continue to have that belief that I had in myself, from such a young age. I think that’s what can push people forward, that strong, almost delusional, belief in yourself.”

Whatever self-belief Robinson has drawn from, there is nothing delusional about a place in the USMNT squad. A two-time MLS Best XI selection, Robinson has opted to remain in the United States - despite interest from Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven - and has seen rapid growth during his decade in the league. Robinson speaks to AS USA ahead of a meaty Eastern Conference clash with Inter Miami on Wednesday, taking on Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and the rest of the most lavishly assembled roster in MLS history. A lot has changed since he signed with expansion team Atlanta United back in 2017.

He says: “Overall, it’s grown so much. When you’re looking at the different facilities that clubs have, when you’re looking at the different soccer-specific stadiums that have been built, when you’re looking at the wages players get, even the strength of teams. I think it’s all been improving so I’m definitely excited to see how the league continues to progress in the future.”

MLS stars prove their worth

Just two weeks out from the USMNT squad announcement, Robinson is one of a number of MLS players who are staking a serious claim for a World Cup spot. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has repeatedly put his faith in high-performing domestic stars, often giving them gametime at the expense of high-profile Americans in the major European leagues. The likes of Cristian Roldan, Max Arfsten and starting goalkeeper Matt Freese were all heavily involved in the US’ March internationals and Robinson was only omitted due to injury. For those MLS hopefuls the World Cup will be - by some distance - the biggest stage of their careers to date, but Robinson is confident that he and his teammates can make the step up.

“I think it’s all manageable, we’re all professionals,” he says. “We all want to improve every day. We all want to compete at our best level every time we get a chance. I do think putting on the US jersey adds a little more butterflies in your stomach, you’re more excited. Or just to try to get to that next gear that you haven’t touched previously. But we’re all professionals, we are all trying to put our best foot forward at all times.”

For everyone connected to US Soccer, there is an understanding that this summer has the potential to be a transformative one; for players’ careers, for the team’s status, for the role that soccer plays in American life. A single result - like the victory over Colombia in 1994 - can bring in huge new audiences to the game in the US. For the players, a home World Cup is a rare chance to perform in front of the entire nation.

Being a part of something special

Robinson cites the World Cup as a major spectacle throughout his childhood. His first clear memories of the tournament are of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, one of the USMNT’s best performances at a major tournament. Impressive group stage draws against England and Slovenia were followed by a dramatic injury-time win over Algeria that secured qualification to the knockout rounds. The team was narrowly beaten by Ghana in the following game but that tournament has stuck in the memory for Robinson, and not just for the on-field action.

“It was the vuvuzelas and the big atmosphere, the insane stadiums and those loud fan bases that were cheering on their countries. Those memories kind of bring up butterflies, looking back and recognizing that I could potentially be a part of something just as special.”

As with each tournament, this summer’s World Cup will have its own aesthetic; a distinct visual, audio and atmospheric vibe that will mark it out from all those that went before. From the USA’s opener against Paraguay in Inglewood to the World Cup final in New Jersey, those six weeks have the potential to define soccer for the next generation of fans. Just as Robinson recalls the vuvuzelas of Johannesburg, the next generation of USMNT talents will be looking back at this summer as the inspiration for their own journeys in the game.

For Robinson, however, now is not the time for looking back. With less than a month to go until the start of a World Cup on home soil, everything is focused on SoFi Stadium, where the US will take on Paraguay on Friday, June 12. The 29-year-old has already missed one World Cup but this summer is a golden opportunity to play a part in soccer’s global gathering.

“I’m feeling good, I’m feeling healthy right now,” he says. “I had a lot of work in the gym recently but it’s just about us - me, personally - going day by day, focused on the moment and recognizing that the future will come. Right now is where you can actually make that change and get better, and that’s what I’m really trying to do.”

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