Amidst the sea of noteworthy moments in Inter Miami CF’s first-ever match was an important individual moment for one player. 21-year-old rookie Robbie Robinson made his professional debut mere months after being selected with the first-overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.
Robinson was in awe of the support the team received thousands of miles from South Florida as hundreds of members of the Club’s official supporters’ groups – The Siege, Southern Legion, and Vice City 1896 – journeyed out to Los Angeles to attend the Club’s first-ever match.
“It was amazing to be able to have that support at a place in California where it is so far away. It’s across the country. It’s amazing,” he said. “You love to see that support, it keeps you going throughout the game, it gives you adrenaline, that will to keep pushing and keep fighting. We owe so much to the fans and they’ve done such an amazing job so far.”
The six-foot-two forward was a standout in college, dominating NCAA Division I at Clemson University. In his final season at the school he led the NCAA in goals with 18 to his name, and also finished top-10 in assists with nine. These accomplishments were enough to earn him 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy honors, awarded to the nation’s top college soccer player. Despite his sterling résumé, Robinson is pushing to learn and improve following his first official match.
“I learned a lot. You can see your movements off the ball, what you could’ve done better, what more you could’ve done defensively. You see the little things that you can improve on,” he said. “I think it’s a really important thing to be able to watch your mistakes and learn from that so next time you won’t make those mistakes and you can do better.”
Despite the magnitude of the occasion for him personally, Robinson’s focus lies solely on the team.
“As a group we just want to win, so I’m not really thinking about anything individually. I’m thinking about this team and I just want to be able to do well for my teammates and be able to perform and go out there and fight for the guys and come out with a win.”
Veteran left back Ben Sweat followed a similar path as Robinson en route to MLS. Sweat, who played NCAA Division I soccer before being selected in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, praised the rookie for his performance in his debut.
“Robbie was good. He did well in preseason, he deserved the first start. To get that right off the bat is a good experience. He created a lot of havoc running in behind, creating a lot of chances and opportunities. That’s what the coaching staff wants out of him and that’s what we want out of him, to relieve some pressure from the defense and midfield sometimes, making those runs and creating those chances. He did well.”
