D.C. United’s Jalen Robinson called up for USMNT U-23 duty

Suddenly U.S. Soccer loves D.C. United. After Bill Hamid, Perry Kitchen, and Steve Birnbaum received call-ups for the senior team it only seemed like an inevitability that the team would get some representation on the youth level. That time was Monday when it was announced that Jalen Robinson had been selected for the United States under-23 Men’s National Team.

Although Robinson’s name might not be as recognizable as some of his other USMNT U-23 teammates, he is considered to be one of the top young defenders in Major League Soccer. A product of the D.C. United Youth Academy, he was signed to a Homegrown Player contract in 2014 after having played two seasons with Wake Forest University.

He has made a smattering of appearances for United over the past two years, mostly during international friendlies and preseason matches, but has spent most of his professional career on loan. In 2014 he made 19 appearances with USL side Arizona United SC. Currently he is playing with United’s affiliate club in USL, the Richmond Kickers.He has made eight starts with the Kickers this season and scored his first professional goal in their 2-2 season-opening draw with the Wilmington Hammerheads.

Although Robinson is not the tallest defender (5’9″) he is very strong and is extremely quick. In flashes with United during the preseason and in their US Open Cup match last year against the Rochester Rhinos, he showed an ability to make the tackle and immediately become an option on the wing. The question for him has always been his marking. At times he does give opponent’s wing players too much space wide.

This will not be the first time that Robinson has featured for U.S. Soccer; he has previously made appearances for the them at the U-18 level.

If Robinson is looking to make an impression for both club and country, the Toulon tournament is the perfect chance to show that he has improved over the past two years. The United States under-23 Men’s National Team are currently in preparation for qualification for the 2016 Olympics. CONCACAF will be holding their competition in October with the United States looking to qualify for the first time since 2008.

The Toulon tournament is an annual international tournament played in the Southeast part of France. It is a ten team tournament broken up into two groups. Although it is typically a tournament for the under-20 National Teams, this year because of the U-20 World Cup it will be for the U-23 squads.

The United States will be in  Group A and take on host France (May 27th,) Netherlands (May 29th,)  Costa Rica (May 31st,) and Qatar (June 2nd). All of the matches will be shown live on beINSPORT.

In order to reach the final the United States must finish first. The USA’s best finish ever in the tournament was third place back in 1989. That might sound like a tall task given the competition that the USA finds themselves against in group play. But for a squad looking to erase the misery of not qualifying for the 2012 games in London, a strong showing may lead to promising results in October.

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