Eddie Robinson (born June 19, 1978) is an American retired soccer player who played as a center-back. During his playing career, he played in Major League Soccer for the San Jose Earthquakes and the Houston Dynamo. He also earned one cap for the United States national soccer team. Robinson now serves as a color commentator for Dynamo TV broadcasts.
Youth and college
Born in Orlando, Florida, Robinson grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. He began playing soccer at the age of 5. He played high school soccer at Walter Hines Page Senior High School, where as a senior he was named an NSCAA-Umbro All-American as well as earning All-State and All-South honors. Robinson played college soccer at the University of North Carolina from 1996 to 2000, finishing his career with four goals and eight assists in 73 games. While at UNC, Robinson helped lead the Tar Heels to a 2000 ACC Men's Soccer Tournament championship and earned second team All-ACC selection in 2000.
Club career
San Jose Earthquakes
Robinson was selected with the 8th pick of the 2nd round (20th overall) in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft by the San Jose Earthquakes. He made his professional debut on April 21, getting the start in a 2-1 loss to the Miami Fusion. He would make 3 appearances in the U.S. Open Cup that season, but did not make another league appearance. Although Robinson did not make an appearance in the playoffs, the Earthquakes would win MLS Cup 2001.
The 2002 seasons saw Robinson establish himself in the team. He made his first appearance of the season on April 17, coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 loss to C.F. Pachuca in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match. He would make his first MLS appearance of the year three days later, coming off the bench in a 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids. During a U.S. Open Cup match on July 17, Robinson would pick up his first career red card after his elbow made contact with Andrew Gregor's jaw. The Earthquakes would go on to defeat the Seattle Sounders 4-3 in extra time. He scored his first career goal on July 27 in a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Wizards. He would score again on September 7, this time in a 4-3 win over the Columbus Crew. Robinson made 19 appearances during the regular season, helping San Jose finish 2nd in the Western Conference and allow the second fewest goals in the MLS. Robinson would play 90 minutes in both of San Jose's playoff games against the Crew, but the Earthquakes lost each game by the score of 2-1.
Robinson and the Earthquakes opened the 2003 season on March 16, losing 4-2 to C.S.D. Municipal in the Champions Cup. Robinson would miss the return leg due to a right hamstring strain, an injury that would keep him out for the first 6 MLS games of the year. He would return on May 31, but left the game after 37 minutes after re-injuring his hamstring. He returned on July 5 and played the full game in a 0-0 draw with the Chicago Fire. Robinson scored his first and only goal of the season September 20, helping San Jose to a 4-1 win over Kansas City. He then suffered a MCL sprain in his left knee that forced him to miss the final 5 games of the regular season. Despite being without Robinson for much of the season, the Earthquakes finished first in the Western Conference and second overall in the league. The 35 goals allowed tied with the LA Galaxy for fewest in the league. Robinson would miss the first game of the playoffs, a 2-0 loss to the Galaxy. He returned for leg 2 and helped the Earthquakes win 5-2 and advance to the Conference Final. Robinson once again played the whole game as San Jose defeated the Wizards 3-2 to return to MLS Cup. In the final, Robinson helped the Earthquakes defeat the Chicago Fire 4-2 and win their second ever MLS Cup.
On April 24, 2004, In the 4th game of the 2004 season, Robinson was subbed off in the first half after rupturing a tendon in his left hamstring. He underwent surgery on April 29. Robinson returned to the field on August 24, coming on as a sub in a 1-0 loss to the Kansas City Wizards in a U.S. Open Cup match. He would leave the game on October 2 after suffering a left knee sprain, forcing him out for the final two games of the regular season. The Earthquakes finished as the 4 seed in the Western Conference, making the playoffs by just 2 points. Robinson would miss the first game of the playoffs, a 2-0 win over Kansas City. He came on as a substitute in the second leg, but the Wizards would prevail 3-0, eliminating the Earthquakes by an aggregate score of 3-2.