FC Cincinnati Signs Defender Miles Robinson
Earlier this morning FC Cincinnati announced that they have signed former Atlanta United and USMNT defender Miles Robinson as general manager Chris Albright made it a priority to boost the back line after inking Robinson to a one-year deal through the 2024 season with a club option for the 2025 campaign.
Robinson was considered the best free agent on the market this offseason and Albright wasted no time in securing the former Atlanta United and USMNT star. Robinson has spent the last six seasons in Atlanta after being selected 2nd overall in the 2017 MLS Superdraft.
In his seven seasons with Atlanta United, Robinson appeared in 150 competitions, which is third most in club history. Robinson also led Atlanta United to an MLS Cup Championship back in 2018, US Open Cup Championship and the Campeones Cup back in 2019.
“We are proud that Miles chose to continue his career in Cincinnati,” said Albright in a press release. “He is a defender with an elite skillset who already has an incredible amount of MLS and international experience. His personality and character are an immediate addition to our locker room, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to FC Cincinnati.”
Safe to say that Albright and company have brought in a true winner to their franchise, in hopes of securing the Supporters Sheild for the second consecutive year. Robinson now joins a back line anchored by reigning MLS Defender of the year in Matt Miazga, along with Nick Hagglund, Ian Murphy, along with latest addition Kipp Keller provides a much-needed depth at the defender position for Pat Noonan and company.
Just think of that for a second as FC Cincinnati will now feature a defense with two high level calibers of players in Robinson and Miazga who both may have a shot at the MLS Defender of the Year award in 2024. But it's not often you see two of the best defenders on the same team, yet alongside each other, and that will cause a lot of problems for opposing teams, especially alongside a veteran player in Nick Hagglund, who is expected to be ready ahead of the season opener.
The Orange and Blue's historically season fell just short in the Eastern Conference Finals this past season after falling 3-2 to Columbus Crew, who would eventually go on and win the MLS Cup a short time later. However, you could see the orange and blue's depth come to light in that matchup as Hagglund missed significant time down the stretch after tearing a hamstring, while Miazga was unavailable for the Easten Conference Finals match due to suspension.
Now, that the addition of Robinson is announced, it has been very clear that Albright has been trying to bolster that back line in terms of depth and key pieces. However, it is uncertain how the starters will be determined yet since it is the offseason, but this is a great problem to have if you're Pat Noonan, just due the kind of caliber player that Robinson is, anytime you have that opportunity to land someone of his caliber, it is a significant gain on all aspects.
This is an exciting time for FC Cincinnati fans as they welcome in the latest star of the Queen City in Miles Robinson. The Orange and Blue will kick off their 2024 season on February 22nd, when they take on Cavalier FC in the Concacaf Champions Club.