On the Pitch
On the Pitch
On the Pitch
Antonee "Jedi" Robinson Answers 26 Questions After Recovery Training
The 28-year-old Fulham fullback on the U.S. Men's National Team knows magic tricks and plays a musical instrument
How important is the recovery process for you?
It’s huge. Obviously, I’m coming back from an injury right now. In general, I’m trying to look after myself and make sure I'm in the best shape I can.
Where did the nickname “Jedi” come from?
When I was a lot younger than I am now, around four or five years old, I was a much bigger Star Wars fan than I am now.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
I check the baby monitor and see if [my daughter] Atlas is awake and if I need to go and get her.
When brushing your teeth in the morning, what comes first, toothpaste or water?
I've never really paid attention, but I'd definitely say water comes first.
What's one song that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face?
At the moment, I've been listening to a little bit house music, reliving my holidays and stuff. To put a smile on the face, me and the girls have been listening to a lot of Lilo and Stitch lately, so “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride.”
Order out or cook at home?
I'd much rather order out, to be honest.
What's your go-to cheat meal or guilty pleasure food?
When I'm in the UK, Nando's, probably. When we go back to the States, I'm looking to see what's closer out of Chipotle and Chick-fil-A.
What’s your favorite thing about living in the UK?
It’s where I grew up. It’s home to me. Going back to the States and representing my country feels amazing, but this is where my family and friends are. This is where my life is.
What’s one item in your home you couldn't live without?
Sounds bad saying, but my phone.
What’s your favorite app on your phone?
I have a love-hate relationship with a chess app at the moment.
When you have a rare day off, what does the perfect day look like to you?
Quite selfishly, it would be Darcy taking the kids to go and see her friends or for a play date, so I get the day to myself. I can get up early, play a round the golf, come back home, have a little bit of time to chill. Then, when her and the kids get back, it’s daddy time until we put them to bed nice and early. Ready to do it all again the next day.
Do you play any instruments?
I've been playing piano for probably seven years now.
What made you want to learn the piano?
I went back home to a family house when I was living away one year for Christmas. My sister had a keyboard, and I jumped on it and started trying to learn some songs. After that, I was hooked. I bought my own digital piano and started learning as much as I could.
Do you have a favorite song?
My favorite song at the moment that I've been playing is Coldplay’s “Fix You.”
We've heard you're pretty good at magic tricks. Is that true?
I've got quite a few under my belt. I got into it a little bit later than most people would, but it’s a little hobby of mine.
Do you have any other hidden talents?
I'm pretty good at chess and gaming. I can solve Rubik's cubes like three by three, four by four, five by five. Now, people keep getting those for me as birthday presents. They didn't know what else to get me.
If you weren't a soccer player, what would you be doing right now?
I’d probably be like an accountant or something, I'd hope I'd be something decent anyway.
Do you have any pre-game superstitions or rituals?
Not particularly. My preparation is always the same for every game in terms of playing – waking up, having the same drink, same wake-up time, same food, all that sort of stuff, the pre-activation is always the same. I don't see that as a ritual but repetition in my prep.
Who’s one person who assisted your journey to becoming a professional soccer player?
I’d have to say my dad. He was my coach from five years old. When I signed up for the academy, he would still give me advice and help me through it. He instilled in me the competitiveness and work ethic that's gotten me to where I am today.
If your U.S. National Team teammates could describe you in three words, what would they be?
I mean, I'd hope they'd be nice to me. But realistically, hard-working, fun. They’d probably call me weird, to be fair.
What’s your favorite city that you've traveled to for soccer?
We get spoiled with a lot of good ones in the States. We had a camp in Switzerland, in Crans-Montana, and that was a beautiful place.
When this tournament is over, and you look back, what do you hope people say about the way you played and carried yourself?
I’d hope they'd say that he gave absolutely everything to make sure that we could win.
