Alex Freeman, Miles Robinson power Black Players for Change momentum into 2025 MLS All-Star Week
Major League Soccer defenders and Black Players for Change ambassadors Alex Freeman and Miles Robinson are representing their community, club and country at MLS All-Star Week in Austin.
A bona fide center back and ascending right back in their own right for the U.S. men’s national team, Orlando City SC’s Freeman and FC Cincinnati's Robinson are eight years apart in age but cited the same constant – growth and gratitude – in a career of ups and downs on their road to playing in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game against Mexico’s Liga MX All-Stars on Wednesday at Q2 Stadium (9 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
“Every moment, it's an opportunity for growth,” Robinson told BPC after Monday’s MLS All-Star training session at St. David’s Performance Center in Austin. “I think in general, I've had a career full of ups and downs on and off the field. But Black Players for Change is a positive in my journey. To be a part of what Black Players for Change has done so far is something to be proud of. But I think there's still a lot to be done in terms of representation and higher positions in the league.”
Since Robinson’s breakout 2019 MLS season, earning Best XI honors and a USMNT call-up that September, the 28-year-old made his first MLS All-Star appearance in 2021, battled back from an Achilles tear in 2022 that omitted him from FIFA World Cup contention and has enjoyed consistent spells with the U.S., including the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris – though he was named an MLS All-Star as well – and played with Freeman at the 2025 Gold Cup.
Robinson, whom MLS All-Star and Austin FC coach Nico Estevez selected for the game, dons his third all-star nomination and is a player to watch in Wednesday’s clash after captaining Eastern Conference-leading Cincinnati in nine of 18 games started in 2025.
Freeman met adversity early in 2020 when he did not make Inter Miami CF’s academy team, but he channeled a peak competitiveness – something that he said comes from his Green Bay Packers Hall-of-Fame wide receiver father, Antonio – signing with Orlando’s academy.
Freeman won the MLS NEXT Cup U17 Championship in 2021, signed a homegrown contract in 2022 and scored 12 goals and 11 assists in the following two seasons with Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro before he burst onto the scene for the USMNT and Orlando this year. Although competitive, the 20-year-old defender also described his personality as grateful.
“I got that from my mom and my other (family members) that didn't get to have much growing up and are now able to live comfortably,” Freeman said during MLS All-Star Media Day. “And I think that's one of the things that I do every day – I tell people how grateful I am for this opportunity. I never let that down. And just be able to be thankful for everything I've had, not take anything for granted, and just keep working to try to get the best I can be in everything I do.”
Freeman will also compete in Tuesday’s MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, particularly the Touch Challenge, and Cross and Volley Challenge.
Meanwhile, Robinson is eager to face Liga MX on Wednesday’s game.
“I think I'm coming into form recently,” he said. “I'm a player who wants to win duels. I want to help the team win however I can. So I'm definitely going to do that on Wednesday.”
About Black Players for Change
Black Players for Change (BPC) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization consisting of over 170+ Black players, coaches and staff from MLS, working to bridge the racial equality gap that exists in society. BPC is committed to tackling the racial injustices that have limited Black people from having an equitable stake in the game of soccer and society. Among the many goals, the organization strives to advance the attention on human rights inequalities from protests to programs, partnerships, and policies that address systemic discrimination. For more information visit www.BlackPlayersForChange.org.
