Carl Robinson unsure of future with Toronto FC
Last Updated: Monday, October 20, 2008 | 10:38 AM ET
By John F. Molinaro, CBC Sports
Carl Robinson, middle, could leave Toronto FC at the end of this season. (Chris Young/Canadian Press)Carl Robinson loves the city of Toronto.
He loves living in Canada. He loves the North American lifestyle. He loves playing for Toronto FC.
And he hasn't regretted, not for one minute, his decision to pick up and leave England in 2007 to play in Major League Soccer after spending more than a decade bouncing between several English teams.
But the Welsh midfielder acknowledges that this could be his last season with the MLS club.
Toronto FC and Robinson, 32, have one more game to play in the MLS season, against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday (CBC Bold, CBCSports.ca, 10 p.m. ET).
Once the season is over, the Welsh midfielder will make a decision about where his future lies.
"I love this place. If you watch me play, you'll see that I play with a smile on my face. I enjoy it here, my family loves it here, but I have to do what's right for my family. It's not just about an individual decision or selfish decision from me — it's a family decision," Robinson told CBCSports.ca.
Robinson, who lives in Mississauga, Ont., with his wife and their two young children, will consult with his family before deciding to continue to play with Toronto, or return to England.
"At the end of the season I'm going to sit down with them and speak to them, and see what they want to do and just weigh up my options. There are options out there, like there are for most players, it's a big decision I have," Robinson said.
But making big decisions is nothing new to the Welshman.
"It was a big decision when I came over here two years ago, and it was the right decision because I have my hunger for the game back. I was really unhappy," Robinson said. "Now it's another big decision I have to make two years down the line."
If he does leave, Robinson's departure would leave a gaping hole in Toronto's roster.
Robinson only has one goal in 26 games in the 2008 campaign, but the Welsh veteran has been Toronto's most consistent player this season, and has firmly established himself as one of the top holding midfielders in the league.
So, has he been contacted by any English clubs looking to sign him?
Robinson wouldn't say.
"Most footballers do have offers from other teams, and it's a case of whether the offer is right for you and your family," said Robinson, before adding "there have been inquiries about me from England."
