Robinson grew up in Trenton, New Jersey and graduated in 1986 from Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Robinson recorded 24 goals his senior year leading Notre Dame to two Parochial A state titles, in 1984 and 1985. He was selected to the New Jersey State Olympic Development Team his senior year and was one of the top five recruits coming out of the state of New Jersey. The summer of his senior year he led his club team Union, New Jersey to the United States Youth National Championship in St. Louis, Missouri scoring four goals and adding two assist in the final four. Robinson also represented the United States Under – 20 National team as a right back in World Cup qualifying play that summer in Trinidad and Tobago.
College
After graduating high school in 1986, Robinson attended Adelphi University where he played forward for the men's soccer team from 1986–1989. During his four seasons with the Panthers he was one of the top three goal scores in the country, being named All New York 1987–1989 and 2nd Team All – America in 1988 and 1989. His senior year he was named the "Most Outstanding Athlete" at Adelphi University and was the MVP of the Senior Bowl. Robinson finished his career as the universities All – Time leading goal scorer and points leader, amassing 55 goals and 26 assist for 136 points. Over twenty five years later, his records still stand today. Robinson graduated in 1990 with a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education.
Professional career
After finishing his collegiate career Robinson embarked on a life as a soccer journeyman. Like many U.S. soccer players in the late 1980s and early 1990s moving from one failing indoor and outdoor club to another. In 1990–1991 he played in the American Professional Soccer League for the Penn–Jersey Spirit, and was the team's leading goal scorer in their inaugural season. That winter he was the #1 overall pick of the Illinois Thunder of the National Professional soccer League. He later starred for the North Jersey Imperials of the United States Soccer League being named to the All – Star team 3 times and leading the league in scoring in 1995. In 1997 with the start of Major League Soccer, Robinson was selected as a 1st round draft choice of the Metro Stars but decided to forgo the new league due to the financial constraints. He instead played for the New Jersey Stallions of the USISL.
