Fulham left back Antonee Robinson has quietly made his way into touching distance on a few American milestones. Over the past several seasons, the American has not only solidified his position within Fulham’s starting XI, but the USMNT as well. Even if Fulham have had a rough start to the Premier League campaign, USMNT supporters have a bit of history to look forward to this season should things go Robinson’s way.
Entering his sixth Premier League season, Robinson has strung together 161 Premier League appearances for Fulham. For the all-time American Premier League appearance record, it has him just outside of the top five. Geoff Cameron sits in fifth place with 168, which means by Thanksgiving Robinson may overtake him. In that run are massive games against the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, and his 169th match could be on November 21st against Manchester City.
However, even if he played in every remaining Premier League fixture this season, he’d be five behind the legendary Kasey Keller. He would be 22 matches shy of Fulham legend Clint Dempsey, but could catch his compatriot on a different stat this season. Not only did Dempsey stand out for Fulham by scoring 50 goals, but he also notched 15 assists. After transferring to Tottenham, he scored seven more goals and tallied four more assists.
That assist record for an American may be broken this year. Robinson has already surpassed Dempsey’s assist output for Fulham by notching 17 assists, and is only two off of Dempsey’s entire Premier League catalogue. He may only have one Premier League goal, but being two assists away as an attacking left back is an impressive statistic.
If he carries on at Fulham (or another Premier League club), he will likely be the most capped American outfield player in the Premier League. Of course goalkeepers like Brad Friedel and Tim Howard will claim the top spots, but as a field player, Robinson is in a league of his own. The goalkeepers have longevity in their story, Christian Pulisic has the “first American to win the Champions League” narrative.
Robinson is closing in on something different.
His consistent body of work, year in and year out, has earned him a spot amongst the best left backs in the Premier League. That resume is impressive by any standard, let alone an American.
