DePaul University Athletics
Robinson Ready to Make His Mark in Pro Soccer
8/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO – The moment of a lifetime had finally arrived for a recently graduated Blue Demon who now goes by his full name.
After overcoming a knee injury prior to his senior season, being one of the top six goalkeepers at last January’s InfoSport Pro Soccer Combine in Florida and then distinguishing himself at a North American Soccer League team’s tryout, Macklin Robinson ran onto the Carolina RailHawks home pitch as a substitute in the second half.
The opposition on that fateful night in July was none other than the England Premier League’s West Ham United, who were tied with the RailHawks 2-2 when Robinson entered the international friendly.
“Stepping onto the field and facing down Andy Carroll and the rest of the West Ham squad was an unreal feeling because growing up, these were the guys I watched on TV,” Robinson said. “It was kind of surreal. I wasn't nervous or anything, just confident I wasn't going to let the team or fans down and that I was going to hold the tie.
“I didn't end up making any big time saves, but I did get some touches on the ball and that’s all I wanted. Once you are on the field playing against a Premier League team of that caliber, you just feel like you've made it. All the hard work has paid off.”
Robinson made his mark with pro coaches and scouts at the InfoSport all-star game, making several saves and stopping a penalty kick. Afterwards, the San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City of the MLS (Major League Soccer) plus the RailHawks and other NASL and USL (United Soccer League) teams contacted him.
“After talking with the clubs and my agent, I was offered a spot at San Jose's preseason camp,” Robinson said. “I was obviously very excited and thrilled at the opportunity to play with an MLS team, but after discussing the situation with my family, I decided it was best to finish my degree and pursue pro soccer after I graduated.
“Taking a massive course load during the winter quarter, I got my degree early. By this time I needed a club to play for, but most of the teams that had scouted me already had their rosters filled.”
That’s when good fortune smiled on the former DePaul standout whose former teammates open preseason practice on Wednesday.
“Coach Colin Clarke, who happened to be my teams coach at the Infosport combine, still had an open spot at the RailHawks and wanted me to come down there,” Robinson said. “Three days after my final exam, I drove to North Carolina and moved into a team apartment.
“After training for less than a week, the coaches called me into their offices and offered me a contract. My first reaction was just gratefulness---things had worked out in the end. I got my degree and was still able to get a solid contract offer despite the circumstances.”
Making the jump to the next level wasn’t easy, beginning with training camp. Robinson had not played competitively since a BIG EAST playoff last November and was now confronted with the biggest athletic challenge of his life.
“Preseason training was tough and there was a lot of focus on fitness and getting back into match form,” Robinson said. “I felt really good, but was not ready for the heat and humidity when I first arrived. Goalkeeper coach Nic Platter is fantastic and got us into shape without killing us while also honing our technique in a relevant fashion.
“I currently live in Raleigh about 10 minutes from the stadium in Cary where we play and train. Training sessions are four or five days a week depending on our travel schedule and last about three hours. This is also paired with yoga, lifting, or cryotherapy recovery sessions later in the day.”
Robinson has embraced his new lifestyle and in many ways is living the dream.
“It wasn't that hard adjusting to life as a pro soccer player,” he said. “I get paid to wake up and play soccer. It’s a dream come true. I absolutely love not having to worry about anything and just go train every morning and try and get some game-day minutes.
“Being a pro athlete in a smaller cities like Cary and Raleigh, everyone has heard of you. You get a lot of perks from sponsorship like free food and discounts at various places around the city. Other than that, it's just like any other job. I wake up, go to work at 8:30 a.m. and have free time in the afternoon to do whatever I want.
“After training, I'll normally take a nap, eat lunch and then do some extra work on whatever I need to improve like working on collapse dives or doing another weightlifting session. In the evenings, I spend time with my girlfriend who lives down here with me. We like to play tennis and go see movies every weekend that I'm not traveling. We fly to all of our away games and get a bus that takes us around while we’re there.”
Those who followed Robinson at DePaul would notice a big difference in his style of play.
“I've improved nearly every aspect of my game in the short time I've been here,” Robinson said. “I've gone from making saves on pure athleticism to becoming a more all-around, modern pro goalkeeper. The two biggest improvements are mentality and the work I do in the training room. I’m much more confident that I can handle any situation thrown at me.
“My style of goalkeeping has changed a lot in the last three months. I've adjusted how I perform by playing to my strengths. I'm about 6-foot, 2-inches---on the short side for a pro goalkeeper---so I try to turn that around and use it to my advantage.
“I lost about 12 pounds to become lighter and quicker and modeled my game after French national team goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Manchester United’s David de Gea. They are not the biggest guys but are two of the greatest goalkeepers in the world right now because of the way they use what they have.”
Carolina’s coach noticed that same quality in his young goalkeeper.
“He’s come in and done very well,” Clarke said. “He’s a great kid and works very hard. He’s improved a lot with Nic Platter over the last few months, and I wouldn’t have a problem starting him right now. I think he has a very bright future ahead of him.”
Robinson quickly honed in on the differences between collegiate and pro soccer.
“You definitely notice the speed of play and sharpness of the game,” he said. “Forwards are craftier, quicker and know 20 different ways to spin you around and place the ball in the back of the net. Midfielders completely control the way the game is played as opposed to just spraying passes. Defenders are generally bigger, faster and stronger than I've ever seen before.
“College soccer was like a slugfest of who had the biggest players that could smash the ball forward and score. Here, it's more refined and players know exactly what to do and when to do it. They know every single aspect of their position and work to execute it perfectly every game.”
Robinson made a successful transition from Division II Ohio Dominican to the Blue Demons and is grateful for the time he spend in Lincoln Park.
“At DePaul, I was able to compete against the toughest college soccer opponents in the country,” Robinson said. “This gave me the skills and confidence that I can play at the highest level since many of the players I faced in the BIG EAST are now playing at the highest level.
“After my injury, I had to work harder than I ever thought was possible. This and other challenges I faced only made me more resilient about my goal of playing pro soccer.
“I grew a lot at DePaul and will always be thankful for the opportunity I was afforded there. There are so many great people that really made it a fun and nurturing environment for me to thrive in, especially in the athletic department with Jeanne (athletics director Jean Lenti Ponsetto), Kathryn (senior associate AD Kathryn Statz), my teammates, coaches, athletes from other teams and athletics staff members.
“They all took an interest in me and the other student-athletes and encouraged and supported us to do the best we could. Without those experiences, I doubt I would be where I am today.”