Robbo's unique goal celebration.

And then there was one.

With the news today that Carl Robinson has been released by TFC, there remains only one original roster member on the squad, captain Jim Brennan. And while Brennan will seemingly retire a hometown Red (especially after having just signed a new one-year deal), “Robbo” will need to pursue other opportunities to close out his distinguished career.

Robinson could be considered Toronto’s first ever “big name” signing. Inked to TFC in the inaugural pre-season, Robinson was a then-current member of the Welsh national side, representing his country alongside such names as Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy. Robbo brought with him a bit of Old World legitimacy to a team that was thirsty for any sort of identity. Whether you believe such a thing is necessary is beside the point, Robinson’s signing signalled the direction that TFC was going to take from the get go.

A hard-nosed tackler, Robbo honed his game mostly in the rough-and-tumble English second tier, where physicality and an ability to mix it up are essential traits. Robinson had those qualities in spades, and his arrival at TFC signalled to the rest of the league that they would have to venture to the middle of the park with caution, lest they be on the receiving end of a personalized greeting from the Welshman.

Robinson was much more that a hard tackler, though. Considered by some to be the best ball-winner in the league, Robbo was also a leader on and off the pitch, an invaluable quality on a brand new team.

While he definitely had his short-comings, Robinson was smart enough to play within his own skill set. Within a smart system – the type Preki’s arrival  promises to bring to TFC after three years of decidedly less-than-optimal tactical play – Robinson could thrive. He could even play as a central defender in a pinch, arguably better than one or two of Toronto’s current “specialists” in that position. He’s even been known to chip in a goal at the least expected moment.

Alas, with his relatively large salary and a glut of younger (and some would argue, better) central defenders on the roster, it was not meant to be. Instead of being sad about losing the penultimate member of the TFC Originals, let’s rejoice the quality of player, and person, that Carl Robinson brought to Toronto FC by taking a look back at one of the greatest days at BMO Field thus far (along with Robbo’s then-brand new trademark goal celebration):

Here’s to you, Carl.

Posted by Rudi Schuller