This article was last updated on May 20, 2022
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| Former Red and current Red Bull, Carl Robinson |
Perhaps lost in all the media attention focused in on Thierry Henry and Raphael Márquez, was the return of former Toronto FC co-captain Carl Robinson and the team’s most valuable player in 2007 and 2008.
Robinson was with the team for the franchises first three seasons before being traded away this past season to New York for a draft pick.
Plagued by knee problems this season, the Welshman hasn’t played a lot this season making just eight appearances. In a fitting moment, Robinson entered the game for Márquez in the 74th minute and was showered with a tremendous ovation from TFC fans.
“It was a fantastic reaction,” said Robinson. “They were fantastic and I would like to say ‘Thank you very much to them’ because it was quite an ovation and I appreciate it very much.”
Ironically enough, the game was put of reach by the former Red late in the game when TFC goalkeeper Stefan Frei mishandled a cross right to Robinson as he had no trouble heading the ball into the empty net.
After scoring he covered his mouth with his hand and slumped his shoulders. He looked apologetic as he looked down while his teammates surrounded him and jumped on him in celebration. However, he refused to celebrate out of respect for the fans that had only moments earlier given him an ovation, but also for his father who is seriously ill in the UK.
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| Robinson is congratulated by his teammates after scoring against his former team |
“It was 3 great years, I enjoyed my time, every minute of it and that was the reason why I didn’t celebrate,” said Robinson. “Out of respect it was for them as well as my father who is not very well at the moment. He’s seriously ill in the UK so I got things on my mind and that’s why I didn’t pull my shirt off like most people would.”
“Fans are great here,” added Robinson. “When I was here in Toronto you don’t sort of realize. When I go to New York, all the players talk about are the fans in Toronto so I knew what they were about and it was fitting today that maybe I should score in a victory.”
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Contact Aman Dhanoa at aman@oyetimes.com
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