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After two seasons anchoring the Syracuse University defense, Miles Robinson is set to do the same for Atlanta of the MLS.

(Eric Rossitch)

Miles Robinson has a lot of experience as the defensive backbone of winning soccer teams, including the past two seasons with a successful Syracuse University squad.

So when the fledgling Atlanta United of the MLS needed a reliable foundation for its first year of play, Robinson was a logical choice.

Now, it's time to see how quickly Robinson can intertwine the challenges of growing both his own game and a new franchise.

Atlanta opens its regular season Sunday against New York, and one of the most important presents it will unwrap for its new fans is the vast potential of Robinson. The United claimed him with the No. 2 overall selection in last month's draft.

"It was something you always remember for the rest of your life,'' he said in a recent interview. "(He's) just more excited to be with the team, try to show the coaches what I have to offer to the team. It's up to us as players to see where we can go in Atlanta. I think we've got a great group of guys who are willing to work hard and win games.''

During his two seasons at Syracuse, Robinson started all 42 matches in which he played and helped the Orange to 19 shutouts. In 2016, he was voted the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was a first-team All-ACC selection. In addition, Robinson was a member of the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team for the 2016 Four Nations Tournament.

"Certainly, it will take a little bit of time. He has the physical attributes that will give him a chance to make a quick transition,'' SU coach Ian McIntyre said of Robinson's move to the MLS. "He's a quick learner. I think he will embrace the challenge. He's going up in the weight class, certainly. But he has, not just the physical, but he has that mental strength that will, I believe, allow him to adapt pretty quickly.''

Such potential made a difficult decision to leave Syracuse also an obvious one.

"You become defensive player of the year in the strongest conference in college soccer, you're no longer a hidden entity. Miles and his family valued the Syracuse education. It wasn't an easy decision. However, it became evident pretty quickly that he was highly touted by Major League Soccer,'' McIntyre said.

"I've talked to a lot of different guys who went to a lot of different schools. Even listening to everything they say, I don't think I'd choose another school other than Syracuse,'' Robinson said. "Without them, I wouldn't be where I am. I loved it at Syracuse. (I'm) leaving great people. But you have to think this is my ultimate goal. It always was.''