Eddie Robinson (soccer)

Eddie Robinson
Personal information
Full nameEddie Robinson
Date of birthJune 19, 1978
Place of birthOrlando, Florida, United States
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing positionDefender
Youth career
1996–2000North Carolina Tar Heels
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2001–2005San Jose Earthquakes70(4)
2006–2011Houston Dynamo96(5)
Total166(9)
National team
2008United States1(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Eddie Robinson (born June 19, 1978 in Orlando, Florida) is a retired American soccer player now working in the front office for Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.

Playing career

College

Robinson played college soccer at University of North Carolina from 1996 to 2000, finishing his career with four goals and eight assists in 73 games.

Professional

After graduating, he was selected 20th overall in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft by San Jose Earthquakes. He saw very little playing time in the Quakes backline during his rookie year, appearing in only one game. However, in 2002 he was a fixture on the backline, due to injuries suffered by Earthquakes defenders Troy Dayak and Jeff Agoos. Robinson proved to be quite effective in set pieces due to his large vertical leap.

Robinson won two MLS Cups with the Earthquakes, in 2001 and 2003, but struggled greatly to stay healthy. Right hamstring problems limited him to 13 games in 2003, and he missed most of the 2004 season due to a ruptured tendon in his left hamstring. He became a starter in 2005.

The San Jose franchise moved to Houston for the 2006 season and became Houston Dynamo. Robinson remained with the club through the 2011 season, winning both the 2006 MLS Cup and 2007 MLS Cup along the way. At the end of the 2011 season, the club declined his 2012 contract option and he entered the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft. Robinson was not selected in the draft and became a free agent. He announced his retirement on January 11, 2012.[1]

International

Robinson earned his first cap for the United States on January 19, 2008 in a friendly against Sweden. He scored his first international goal in the 2-0 victory.[2]

International Goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 19 January 2008 Home Depot Center, California, United States  Sweden 1-0 2-0 Friendly

Post-Playing Career

Upon his retirement, Houston Dynamo announced that Robinson would "work with the Dynamo Academy, serve as a color commentator for various TV and radio broadcasts, and work with Dynamo Charities as an ambassador to the Houston community. Beginning in the fall [of 2011], Robinson will also take over as head coach of the Dynamo U-16 squad."[3]

Honors

San Jose Earthquakes

Houston Dynamo

Individual

See also

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eddie Robinson (soccer).