he was a defensive midfielder in college -- and tenacity to spare. That's why he was a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year. That's why the former University of North Carolina standout, with significant help from Houston teammates, just smashed the MLS record for goals allowed in a season.
So I appreciate Robinson's dedication to the art of chewing up forwards, and his obvious passion for success. I just can't figure out if I like the guy. It's a tough call.
Generally speaking, defenders should be physical, but within the laws of the game. The next time I hear an announcer prattle go on about how a defender didn't have any choice but to foul, I might just start screaming. Yes, the defender did have a choice: How about some proper defending?
When I'm king, cynical fouls and any action meant to "send a message" will be dealt with consistently through the whistle and, if need be, the referee's notebook. When guys like Robinson muck up the match, I always wish match officials would police it with more authority, lean on 'em a little more. Shirt grabbing. It's a foul. Every time. Hitting a player from behind, enough to disrupt his touch? It's a foul. Every time.
That clears the way for attacking soccer. Charges, shoulder to shoulder? Fine. A fair slide tackle? You go, boy. What I'm talking about are instances where players are so clearly thwarting through obstruction, grabbing, kicking and generally giving 'em the business.
Robinson is a master at it. He walks right up to that line, the demarcation between legal action and otherwise. He gnaws on it. Pushes it. Stretches it, always assessing how much he can get away with. Sometimes he crosses plum over it.
"Sometimes he does lose control of his emotions," Houston manager Dominic Kinnear said. "I'm not going to lie to you and say he's a gentleman out there all the time. But I know there are lots of teams that would love to have him."
Obviously, Kinnear is in the "likes him" camp. He says Robinson's intensely competitive MO fits perfectly for the Orange. "He hates to lose," the manager said. "He hates to lose a challenge. He hates to lose any ball in the air. ... A focused Eddie is a very good center back in this league."
Kinnear acknowledged that a little reigning in here and there is required. They watch video and discus where Robinson could do things better, perhaps winning possession through more precise positioning. That reduces the threat of conceding dangerous free kicks.
No, Kinnear said, they never discuss his inclination to stand on top of that line of fairness. Part of the game is evaluating what you can or can't get away with on a given day. Still, that's not a place Kinnear wants to go.
"We tell Eddie, 'Play the game, play it fair.' I'll be honest, I have to tell Eddie, 'I can't stick up for you all the time.' He knows that."
But here's the other side of that coin: Major League Soccer is a physical league. Everybody says so, and Robinson knows so. He exploits it to the team's advantage, and I do respect a man who does everything -- every single thing -- for a "W." If Robinson can find that line and stay there, sit right on it and make the referee's assessments difficult, well, he's earning his paycheck.
And besides, part of defending is being a nasty so-and-so, a bother, someone forwards will cross the street to avoid. That's Robinson.
Here's something else: get to know Robinson and it's pretty much impossible not to like him personally. He's accommodating. Pleasant to be around. He pays attention to the league and, by extension, its fans and the people who write about it. He's engaged at every level.
He obviously cares about his teammates. Ask about that record and he'll insist is about the midfield clock punchers like Brian Mullan and Richard Mulrooney, and about early pressure from forwards and such. That's admirable. But then I ask if he embraces how much forwards dread facing him?
"Absolutely," Robinson says. Once the other fellow starts bemoaning a miserable day to come, Robinson clearly has achieved an edge.
"When they are checking to the ball, they wonder if they are going to get kicked," Robinson said. "And maybe that hurts his touch."
That sounds like a mean guy, a fellow who kicks puppies and grins about it. But then Robinson tells you 30 seconds later that he's bothered by how many good MLS fans, people who support the game he loves, despise him.
So, which is the real Robinson? The mean fellow who enjoys the intimidation factor? Or the swell Joe who appreciates his place in life: a healthy human being, a pro athlete, paid to play a boys' game, picking up paychecks for something he loves?
"That's the real me," Robinson said with a genuine smile. "That's the me who wants to support my family and play soccer as long as I can. I'm a realist. I know I'm 29 and I probably have three good years left in me."
He's a guy who pours himself into the team and does everything he can for the cause.
And that's a tough guy to dislike -- as long as he not kicking you.
Steve Davis is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
