Get free access to the most comprehensive World Cup coverage in The Athletic app.CHICAGO — When Antonee Robinson scored the goal of his life Saturday against Germany and sprinted right into a backflip celebration, he unleashed months of emotion, of pain and relief, and roared.There were times throughout the 2025-26 season when Robinson worried that he’d never overcome a complicated injury; that he wouldn’t make it here, to the 2026 World Cup.But he made it, and on Saturday, in the U.S. men’s national team’s send-off match, he reminded everyone how integral a piece of this USMNT he can be.He also exited the game with an apparent injury or muscle problem. He and the USMNT staff think it was merely cramps. USMNT fans certainly hope so, and could be forgiven for holding their breath while awaiting the official diagnosis.“Not 100 percent sure,” Robinson said postgame, “but it feels fine now, it’s settled down, so probably.”And so, there was little worry as he walked out of Soldier Field, after a performance that many players were reasonably pleased with. Yes, they lost to Germany 2-1, but they feel ready for the World Cup.And Robinson feels especially ready.He scored the USMNT’s only goal of the friendly, a blinding volley from the top of the box, picked straight out of the air.