Who is Antonee Robinson? Antonee Robinson, often called "Jedi," is a dynamic American soccer player known for his speed, skill, and resilience. Born on August 8, 1997, in Milton Keynes, England, he has made a name for himself both in the Premier League and on the international stage with the US Men's National Team. From his early days at Everton Academy to his current role at Fulham, Robinson's journey is filled with hard work and determination. His nickname "Jedi" reflects his childhood love for Star Wars, a fitting moniker for someone who has battled through injuries and setbacks to become a key player for club and country.
Key Takeaways:
- Antonee Robinson's soccer journey began with family support, a unique nickname, and early coaching from his father, shaping his rise through Everton Academy and the U.S. Men's National Team.
- Robinson's resilience, diverse talents, and defensive prowess have propelled his success, overcoming challenges, contributing to team dynamics, and earning recognition in both club and international soccer.
Early Life and Family
Antonee Robinson's journey to soccer stardom began with a strong foundation rooted in family and early influences.
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Early Life and Family: Born on August 8, 1997, in Milton Keynes, England, Antonee Robinson's parents are Marlon Robinson and a British mother. His grandmother established the family's U.S. citizenship through her residency in White Plains, New York.
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Nickname: Known as "Jedi," a nickname inspired by his love for Star Wars, which he chose thanks to his father's practice of letting players pick their own nicknames.
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Sporting Upbringing: His father, Marlon, played a significant role in his early development, coaching him and nurturing his passion for soccer from a young age.
Rise Through the Ranks
Antonee's dedication and talent saw him quickly rise through the ranks, starting from his early days at Everton Academy.
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Joining Everton Academy: At 11, he joined the Everton Academy, initially not as a full-time player but earned a scholarship five years later.
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Gothia Cup Victory: Just two months after signing his scholarship, he helped Everton Under-18s win the Gothia Cup in Sweden in August 2013.
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Playing with Top Talent: At Everton, he played alongside senior team stars like John Stones, Romelu Lukaku, and Ross Barkley.
International Career
Robinson's international career has been marked by significant milestones and contributions to the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT).
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Representing the United States: After the Gothia Cup win, he was called up to the U.S. U18 national team, inspired by the legacy of American players at Goodison Park.
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International Debut: Made his senior national team debut on May 28, 2018, in a 3-0 win against Bolivia, where he also registered his first assist.
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CONCACAF Nations League Win: Part of the USMNT team that won the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League in 2019-20, starting in the semifinal against Honduras.
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World Cup Qualifying: Led all USMNT players with 1,061 minutes played during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, appearing in 13 out of 14 matches.
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Critical Goals: Scored crucial goals in the 4-1 win against Honduras and the 1-0 win against El Salvador during World Cup qualifying.
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Assists in Qualifying: Tied for first on the team with three assists, contributing significantly to the team's success.
Club Career
Robinson's club career has seen him play for several teams, showcasing his skills and resilience.
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Professional Career Start: Began his professional career at Everton, eventually going on loan to Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic.
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Failed AC Milan Transfer: A heart rhythm irregularity discovered during his medical exam prevented a transfer to AC Milan in January 2020.
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Move to Fulham: Joined Fulham in August 2020, aiming to help the team secure promotion back to the Premier League.
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Fulham's EFL Championship Win: Played a key role in Fulham's EFL Championship win, earning promotion to the Premier League for the 2022-23 season.
Personal Life and Interests
Beyond soccer, Antonee Robinson has a rich personal life and diverse interests.
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Personal Life: Married to Darcy Myers, with whom he has a daughter named Atlas Robinson.
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Hobbies: Enjoys playing the piano and solving the Rubik's Cube quickly, showcasing his diverse talents.
Playing Style and Statistics
Robinson's playing style and statistics highlight his contributions on the field.
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Height and Weight: Stands at 5 feet 8 inches (1.83 meters) and weighs 154 pounds (70 kilograms).
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Playing Position: Primarily a left-back but also effective as an attacking full-back due to his athleticism.
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Premier League Stats: Made 108 appearances for Fulham in the Premier League, with 22 clean sheets and 230 tackles at a 62% success rate.
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Assists and Passes: Provided 9 assists and completed 4,418 passes, averaging 40.91 passes per match.
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Crosses and Big Chances Created: Made 400 crosses with 25% accuracy and created 12 big chances for teammates.
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Discipline: Received 19 yellow cards and 1 red card, committing 95 fouls and being offside 9 times.
Overcoming Challenges
Robinson's career has not been without its challenges, which he has overcome with determination.
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Injuries: Overcame a severe knee injury in 2014, later helping Everton’s U23 win the Premier League 2 Title.
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Everton U-18 Player of the Season: Named Everton U-18 Player of the Season in 2014-15, recognizing his hard work and dedication.
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Loan Spells: Crucial loan spells at Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic helped him develop, making 34 appearances for Bolton in the 2017-18 season.
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Wigan Athletic’s Star Performer: Starred at Wigan, contributing to a run of 10 clean sheets from 11 games in the latter stages of the 2019-20 season.
Achievements and Recognition
Robinson's achievements and recognition highlight his impact on the field.
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Fulham’s First Signing of 2020: Fulham’s first signing of the 2020 summer transfer window, agreeing to a deal until 2024.
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Fulham’s EFL Championship Team of the Season: Named to the EFL Championship Team of the Season in 2021-22 for his outstanding performances.
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USMNT Roster for 2022 FIFA World Cup: Part of the 26-player USMNT roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, joining other notable players.
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Personal Achievements: Known for solving the Rubik's Cube quickly, performing card tricks, and playing the piano.
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Celebrating Goals: Often celebrates goals with a backflip, showcasing his athleticism and flair.
Family Influence and Health
Family influence and health have played significant roles in Robinson's life and career.
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Family Influence: His father, Marlon, played collegiate soccer at Duke University, significantly shaping Antonee's passion for the sport.
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Heart Rhythm Irregularity: A heart rhythm irregularity discovered in 2020 prevented a transfer to AC Milan, leading him to complete the season with Wigan before joining Fulham.
Athleticism and Team Dynamics
Robinson's athleticism and contributions to team dynamics have been crucial to his success.
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Athleticism: Known for his athleticism, making him an effective attacking full-back with the ability to cover ground quickly.
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Team Dynamics: At Fulham, played alongside talented players like Neco Williams and Nathaniel Chalobah, contributing to the team's success.
Defensive Contributions
Despite his attacking prowess, Robinson's defensive contributions are significant.
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Defensive Contributions: Made 21 clean sheets and conceded 142 goals in the Premier League, highlighting his defensive efforts.
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Tackle Success Rate: Achieved a 62% tackle success rate, making 230 tackles in the Premier League.
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Interceptions and Clearances: Made 182 interceptions and 265 clearances, showcasing his ability to read the game and make crucial defensive plays.
Antonee Robinson's Remarkable Journey
Antonee Robinson's rise in soccer showcases his dedication, talent, and resilience. From his early days at Everton Academy to representing the USMNT, he's proven his worth on and off the field. Overcoming challenges like a heart rhythm irregularity and injuries, Robinson's journey is inspiring. His contributions to Fulham's promotion and his standout performances in the Premier League highlight his skill. Off the pitch, his hobbies and personal achievements, like solving the Rubik's Cube and playing the piano, add to his unique persona. As he continues to excel, Robinson remains a beacon of hard work and determination for aspiring soccer players. His story is a testament to perseverance, making him a notable figure in the world of soccer.
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