The United States have won the CONCACAF Nations League, beating Mexico 2-0 in the final in the early hours of Monday morning with Fulham’s Antonee Robinson playing a key role.
Fulham fans will have been waking up this morning and checking in on how a couple of Craven Cottage stars got on during international duty.
The United States faced Mexico in Texas with the CONCACAF Nations League title up for grabs after advancing past Bobby Decordova-Reid and Jamaica in the semi-finals.
Both Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream lined up for the States and it proved to be a successful night for the Fulham duo.
USA ran out 2-0 winners with two Premier League players – Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams and Nottingham Forest’s Giovanni Reyna – finding the net in the second half.
Robinson and Ream will both be in celebratory mood right now, so let’s take a look how the American media reacted to Robinson’s display…
US media on Antonee Robinson
Robinson has been in stunning form for Fulham of late and we have seen speculation linking him with a summer move to Chelsea.
90min suggested in December that Liverpool are also interested, so there is plenty of attention around Robinson right now.
Robinson lined up in his usual left back spot for the US against Mexico and there have been some mixed reviews on his performance.
MLS Soccer rated Robinson at 7.5 out of 10 for his display against Mexico, hailing him for being ‘reliable’ and clearly the best American left back right now.
“Robinson was reliable as always down the left hand side. He kept the ball under pressure, tracked back consistently, and put in strong service. He’s head and shoulders above any other left back in the pool at the moment.”
Goal weren’t quite as impressed, rating Robinson as a 6 out of 10 whilst suggesting that he was quiet compared to right back Sergino Dest.
“Created a chance for Pulisic early, but was definitely the quieter of the two fullbacks. That’s just fine, though, when Dest is bombing down the other side.”
Pro Soccer Wire also went with a 6.5, believing that he made some mistakes at the back and wasn’t quite as swashbuckling going forward.
“Like Dest, Robinson had to get high and wide to give the U.S. width, but the normal storming runs forward he provides on the overlap were largely missing on the night. He was occupying defenders rather than beating them.”
“There were flaws: “Jedi” seemed to be the closest person to having responsibility for Luis Chavez on a 23rd minute chance that really could have been 1-0 Mexico. Robinson needed VAR to intervene after a wild swing at the ball briefly seemed to have gifted Santiago Gimenez a penalty kick, though in the end referee Drew Fischer waved that initial call off correctly.”
“Again, Mexico’s toothless play on the night left the Fulham defender with little to do, and while Robinson made some mistakes, he was largely fine.”
NBC Sports went even lower, giving Robinson a 5.5 rating whilst claiming that he didn’t quite look as impressive as usual.
“Credited with seven defensive actions. The effort was there, as always, but the entire international break was not the “Jedi” we’ve come to expect from the past few international windows.”
Robinson will soon start the long journey back to London and attempt to get himself ready to face Sheffield United on Saturday.
Fulham fans won’t be too concerned by these reviews, as long as he keeps up his recent Premier League form at Bramall Lane.
We all know Robinson’s quality and one mixed display against Mexico certainly won’t change anybody’s mind about the flying left back.