SU alum Miles Robinson selected to USMNT’s 2026 World Cup roster
Former Syracuse defender Miles Robinson, who played for SU from 2015-16, will become its first alum to represent the U.S. at the World Cup. Daily Orange File Photo
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Former Syracuse defender Miles Robinson will become the first-ever SU alum to represent the United States at the FIFA World Cup after he was named to the U.S.’ final 26-player roster Tuesday. Robinson played with the Orange from 2015-16 and is currently with Major League Soccer’s FC Cincinnati.
In two years with the Orange, Robinson accumulated eight goals and one assist across 42 games, all of which he started on defense. In 2015, he earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman Team honors and helped SU to its first-ever College Cup before becoming an All-ACC First Teamer and ACC Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore.
Following his success in central New York, Robinson was selected second overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by the Atlanta United FC. He’s remained in the league for the last nine years, playing six seasons in Atlanta before moving to FC Cincinnati for the last three campaigns.
Robinson told The Daily Orange in the fall that SU head coach Ian McIntyre’s advice was integral to his professional success.
“I think it was very big in me recognizing what it’s gonna be like to play with professionals,” Robinson said of his Syracuse career. “(McIntyre) had some conversations with me prior to me going professional that these players are gonna have families to fight for, and it’s gonna be hard to break through. The intensity he brought to our training definitely prepared me.”
Robinson has also represented the U.S. multiple times. He made his senior debut in 2019 and participated in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he scored the game-winning goal in the final. Though he wasn’t part of the American squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he did make the team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Robinson likely won’t be the lone SU alum representing their nation at this year’s World Cup. Tajon Buchanan and Kamal Miller became the first Orange players to appear in a World Cup when they played for Canada in 2022. After reviving his career at Spanish club Villarreal, Buchanan made Jesse Marsch’s provisional 32-man roster, which will be whittled down to 26 on May 29.
The U.S. opens group play on June 12 versus Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, followed by games against Australia and Turkey on June 19 and June 25, respectively.
