CARSON, Calif. – Antonee "Jedi" Robinson, a pivotal player for Fulham and the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT), is sidelined due to injury as his team prepares for the Concacaf Nations League (CNL) Finals. The news has left the USMNT, now under the guidance of head coach Mauricio Pochettino, in a precarious position. Robinson has been a standout in the Premier League, ranked second in assists this season with ten and recently honored as U.S. Soccer's male player of the year for 2024.
The CNL semifinals will commence on Thursday, March 20, 2025, when the United States faces Panama at SoFi Stadium, while Canada will battle Mexico in the second semifinal on the same day. The finals and the third-place match are scheduled for Sunday, March 23, 2025. Robinson, along with midfielder Johnny Cardoso and center-back Auston Trusty, had to withdraw due to injuries sustained prior to the tournament.
In Robinson's absence, Max Arfsten from Columbus Crew has been called up. However, as defender Tim Ream expressed, it may take more than one player to replicate what Robinson brings to the field. “I guess you’ll find out tomorrow,” Ream remarked playfully when asked about the team's plans for compensating for Robinson's absence. “Obviously, there’s nobody like Jedi and it is extremely difficult to replace what he brings to the team,” Ream added. “So, I don’t think anybody who is going to step in should try to be him. But there will be potentially a different way of doing things.”
Ream has extensive experience playing alongside Robinson, having been his teammate on Fulham's back line for nearly five years. Although Ream traditionally plays center back for the national team, he signed a two-year contract with Charlotte FC in August last year, where he has been accustomed to the left-back position.
“If push comes to shove, you know, then it’s not a problem,” remarked Ream, acknowledging the challenges ahead. “You won’t see me flying up and down the wing the way Jed does. But I mean, yeah, I can do the job.” Despite his willingness to adapt, Ream's playing style is markedly different from the dynamic approach that Robinson embodies.
Other candidates for Robinson’s role include Joe Scally, a right-back who could shift into a more central role in the lineup, and Arfsten, who earned his first two caps for the USMNT earlier this year. Both players have their unique strengths that could provide options for Pochettino.
“We like to be very variable in our buildup so the opposition can’t really defend us,” Scally mentioned, simplifying the strategic adjustments the squad might need to embrace. While Arfsten provides fresh talent, Scally’s experience as a more defensive player might steer tactics differently in Robinson’s absence.
It’s likely that Cameron Carter-Vickers, who is making his return to the national team for the first time since an injury halted his progress, may play a role in shaping the back line during the tournament. Known for his physicality and ability on the ball, Carter-Vickers adds depth and experience, an asset that could be particularly useful against strong opponents.
As for head coach Pochettino, the challenge of restructuring his defense comes during a crucial tournament for the USMNT. “It’s next man up,” Ream emphasized. “The way we train, the way we work, the way we look at video, everybody knows everybody's roles, and I think that allows for different players to play in different positions if need be.” This adaptability will be essential as the team looks to move forward without one of its most dependable players.
They will need to be flexible, as Ream reminded his teammates that they have prepared for this very scenario. “This is the next person, and that person knows their role and what they’ll need to do to be successful.”
As the tournament unfolds, the USMNT faces the daunting task of filling the gap left by Robinson. The team is hopeful that flexibility in tactics and the individual strengths of the roster will mitigate the impact of Robinson's absence and allow them to compete fiercely in the CNL Finals.
Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball, and soccer for Fox Sports. Previously writing for Sports Illustrated, USA Today, and The Indianapolis Star, she is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX.
