The Details: Robertson Wants Last Year 'To Be A Big One'
June 15, 2016 | General, Men's Soccer
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
When Mason Robertson was a child, he was easy to shop for. Each Christmas, there was only one thing he wanted – a new soccer ball.
"I always asked for a new ball, because I just loved soccer," Robertson said.
There was one ball in particular he loved more than the others. As soon as he discovered the gold ball used in the 2002 World Cup, he became even easier to buy gifts for.
"That's all I wanted," he said with a smile, looking back on his childhood.
So, each time he wore one out, he would ask for another.
"I just loved it," he said.
He loved the ball. He loved the game. He loved that the sport was something he could share with his father, David, a former star in Scotland who once helped the Glasgow Rangers win a record nine straight championships before playing in the Premier League with Leeds United.
For Robertson, soccer was always fun. He never thought of himself as particularly talented, but instead enjoyed the challenge the game provided. He was drawn to the ups and downs, and his ability to grow his game with each new ball he was given led him all the way to Washington.
"I just didn't want to sit around and do nothing," said Robertson, who is preparing for his senior season.
His passion for the game, coupled with a talented teacher – his father – helped him flourish. But it wasn't until his father commented on the way he played that Robertson realized he had a future in the game.
"You're so much better than I was at your age," Robertson said, looking back at what his father told him when he was younger. "He just kept me going. It felt great to hear that."
Robertson eventually moved to Arizona with his family. He arrived in the states with a thick Scottish accent and, despite speaking the same language, he often struggled to communicate with his classmates and teachers.
To help himself socially and in school, he focused on ditching the accent. He now does a good job of hiding it – until he goes back to Scotland for a visit.
By the time he finished his prep career at Pinnacle High School, he was top-50 recruit. He was so highly regarded as a youth prospect, he was offered a professional contract by Reading FC in England when he was 15.
But Robertson's path took him toward college, to Washington. When he met Huskies' coach Jamie Clark, "I just connected with them instantly."
It wasn't until later he learned that Clark's father, Bobby, actually coached David Robertson at Aberdeen in Scotland.
"It was crazy when I found out," Robertson said. "I didn't know. It's pretty interesting. Small world."
He played in all 22 games as a freshman, scoring six goals – three game winners. Then as a sophomore he started 18 of 20 games for the Huskies, netting seven more goals.
Unfortunately, Robertson's upward trajectory was temporarily derailed last season. He suffered a knee injury less than two months before the preseason started. He was able to play in 10 games, but "I wasn't right," Robertson said.
The frustrations of last season are pushing the senior forward. His knee is healthy. Now he is working to regain his fitness.
"Right now, I'm just trying to pick it up," he said. "I'm trying to prove myself. This is my last year. I want it to be a big one."
Robertson has worked hard to lose weight. He has focused on his endurance and has trained to improve his agility.
"I've never felt better," he said.
He also believes the same can be said for his teammates.
"The team, right now, is unbelievable," he said. "We're so motivated. We're just going to get better and better."
Robertson feels fortunate to have one more season left at Washington. He wants to make the most of it. He has put in the work to showcase his skill as a striker a few more times before his college career ends.
Like he said, he wants this season "to be a big one."
