Robinson strong in first game back

Defender regains form after Achilles rupture in May.

There was a moment in Atlanta United’s 2-1 win Saturday against San Jose in which Miles Robinson looked as if last year’s ruptured Achilles never happened.

The speedy Cade Cowell tried to get past Robinson to the end line, only for Robinson to get there first and cut him off. Cowell tried to cut back inside. Robinson stopped that. Cowell tried again to get past Robinson, who got enough of the ball for goalkeeper Brad Guzan to take it.

Job done, Robinson simply turned and ran upfield.

“I felt like I had that same type of explosiveness (in the preseason),” Robinson said. “But just to do it in an actual MLS match felt great, especially the fact that we won the game.”

Robinson was efficient in his first meaningful game in 10 months. He won two aerial duels, one of his two tackle attempts, took back possession three times and committed only one foul. In 69 minutes, Cowell was limited to one shot on goal, one chance created and six unsuccessful dribbles by Robinson and the rest of Atlanta United’s defend- ers. Jeremy Ebobisse, who scored San Jose’s goal, was more successful, with three aerial duels won, two shots on goal of three shots taken and one chance created.

Manager Gonzalo Pineda said he thought Robinson’s timing, decision-making and angles were very good. Robinson said the next step for the defense is to keep a clean sheet. The defense posted two of those in the first 10 games Robinson started last season before his injury.

After the win Saturday, Robinson and Guzan, who also sustained an Achilles rupture last season, hugged each other. Robinson said they had seen each other almost every day for 10 months as they rehabbed, feeling the same pains, asking themselves the same questions. “It’s been a long road,” Guzan said. “And so to see him back out there puts a smile on my face.”

Robinson said he experienced a mix of emotions being on the field in front of an announced attendance of more than 68,000. After he first suffered the injury, he said the first challenge was mental because “you feel pretty much trapped.” The next challenges were physical because Robinson wanted to feel the explosiveness that made him arguably the best oneon-one defender in MLS and a starter for the U.S. men’s national team. Finally back on the field, he said he focused on staying present in the game.

“Saturday’s performance was a good building block,” he said. “So hopefully, I can build on this and keep getting bigger, faster, stronger. Right now, I feel really good.”

Waiting on visa: Striker Giorgos Giakoumakis didn’t train with the team Thursday ahead of Saturday’s game. Pineda said the team is hopeful Giakoumakis will secure his visa before the game, making him eligible for selection.