Two former Syracuse men’s soccer stars will be on the pitch at the FIFA World Cup, representing their home nation on global sport’s biggest stage.
Brampton, Ontario native Tajon Buchanan will become the first Syracuse alum to participate in multiple World Cups. The Canadian winger played for the Orange in 2017 and 2018, scoring 12 goals in 33 games. After being picked ninth in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution, he spent three seasons with the club before making his European move.
Buchanan signed for Club Brugge in Belgium, where he played in 52 matches over two and a half seasons. In 2022, he and Canada teammate Kamal Miller became the first two Syracuse alumni to feature in the World Cup.
In January 2024, he moved to one of Italy’s most storied clubs, Inter Milan, but struggled for playing time. Then, he fractured his tibia in Copa America 2024. He finally became a consistent presence on a first team again, scoring seven goals in 43 matches this past season for Spanish club Villarreal.
“He’s just electric, fun to watch,” Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre said of Buchanan on Cuse Sports Talk. “One of the fittest, hardest-working players to come through our program. He took his opportunity when he had it to move to Major League Soccer, and then to move overseas.”
Arlington, Massachusetts native Miles Robinson will become the first Syracuse alumnus to represent the United States at the World Cup. The 29-year-old center back played for the Orange in 2015 and 2016 before being drafted second overall by Atlanta United.
Robinson has spent his entire club career in his home country, playing seven seasons with Atlanta United (including winning the 2018 MLS Cup) before moving on to FC Cincinnati in 2024. He’s been a consistent presence in Cincinnati’s defense, appearing in 81 matches since making the move.
He made his senior USMNT debut in 2019, and has since been capped 40 times. His most memorable moment in the Stars and Stripes came in 2021, when he scored the winner in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final. Robinson was slated to be part of the 2022 World Cup squad, but missed the tournament due to an injury.
“That 2015 (Syracuse) team had a lot of young guys,” McIntyre said. “We had a lot of youth and we threw those guys in the deep end, and from the moment Miles stepped on campus, he was terrific for us, and we’ve proudly observed his success.”
“To see him on home soil this summer, it’s very special.”
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Here’s how to watch them compete in the group stage.
UNITED STATES (Miles Robinson)
The USMNT (No. 17 in FIFA rankings) was drawn into Group D with Türkiye (22), Australia (27), and Paraguay (40)
Friday, June 12: USA vs Paraguay, Los Angeles, 9 p.m. eastern, FOX
Friday, June 19: USA vs Australia, Seattle, 3 p.m. eastern, FOX
Thursday, June 25: USA vs Türkiye, Los Angeles, 10 p.m. eastern, FOX
CANADA (Tajon Buchanan)
Canada (No. 30 in FIFA rankings) was drawn into Group B alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina (64), Switzerland (19), and Qatar (57)
Friday, June 12: Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, Toronto, 3 p.m. eastern, FOX
Thursday, June 18: Canada vs Qatar, Vancouver, 6 p.m. eastern, FS1
Wednesday, June 24: Canada vs Switzerland, Vancouver, 3 p.m. eastern, FOX
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The top two finishers in each of the 12 groups, as well as the top eight third-place finishers (by points, if tied, goal difference, etc….) will qualify for the knockout stage.
The FIFA World Cup Final will take place on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
