CARSON, Calif. – This time last year, Robbie Rogers’ career appeared to be heading in a dramatically different direction.
After becoming the first openly gay professional athlete to play in a top five American sports league and the fanfare that ensued, his playing career appeared to be stalling. Throughout the 2013 season, Rogers made just 16 appearances across all competitions while notching only one assist as a midfielder.
What a difference a few months makes.
In 2014, Rogers has become a first choice left back in Bruce Arena’s starting XI, making 21 appearances, and tallying two assists in all MLS competitions. For his remarkable turnaround, the Galaxy rewarded the 27-year-old with a multi-year contract earlier this month that will keep him at StubHub Center for the foreseeable future.
“I’m really excited,” Rogers told LAGalaxy.com recently. “I feel so comfortable with this great team and this great organization. I feel like I’ve played well and I’m excited to keep going with this team and continue to learn how to play left back.”
The conversation when Rogers was told he was being moved from midfield to defense, was like many things involving the Galaxy—simple and quick.
“Bruce was the one that had the notion that this could be a move for him. Athletically he possess a lot of qualities that a wide player possesses and certainly in the modern game, teams use the outside backs as a pivotal part in the beginning of the attack,” recalled Galaxy Associate head coach Dave Sarachan. “It was an interesting start to the process and it took some time for Robbie and the rest of the team to embrace it, but the evolution of the project has been remarkable.”
During that time, Rogers has steadily evolved from a few dodgy moments with Galaxy II to an offensive—and defensive—asset for a team on the cusp of another appearance in MLS Cup. But even though the project has been a huge success, the initial change was not easy.
“[Bruce] just asked me how I felt about it and we just got to training,” said Rogers. “I was more excited than anything and maybe a little surprised. I really enjoy playing there and by playing in those games, I got to really enjoy that position.
“Maybe the first few weeks or the first few games, it was difficult because I felt like there was some times that I could sense my positioning wasn’t right,” he added. “I thought that was just me thinking as a midfielder, but now that I’m settled, I think that I could play left back or right back moving forward from here.”
And as Rogers has progressed as a defender and an integral member of the Galaxy, he’s been able to shake the comparisons to Mike Magee, who was famously dealt away to acquire the 27-year-old’s rights last May.
Throughout the Galaxy’s doomed 2013 season, each goal during Magee's MVP season meant more questions from media and more vitriol on social media for Rogers. Add in his repeated injury woes across his first five months with the club, and there was no doubt that the 2013 season was a maddening one for the former U.S. international.
“I think that was something that I couldn’t deal with—even now. We’re different people and while we’d love to have Mike here, he’s in Chicago. It was something that was annoying but we’ve moved on,” said Rogers. “Bruce has done such a great job of putting the team together this year and while it seemed like he was a player that we couldn’t replace, he’s enjoying life in Chicago. He even sent me a message the other day wishing us luck for the playoffs.
“You just have to be patient. To get fans to enjoy the way that you play, you have to show them,” he added. “I thank the Galaxy for giving me the multiple chances to help me develop –especially in this new position. Yes, I’ve worked my butt off but there are others that helped me along the way.”
Now that Rogers has entrenched himself as a member of the Galaxy and freed himself from the comparisons of Magee, LA’s coaching staff believe the sky is the limit for the defender.
“The jury is out, but when you begin to look at all the teams and all the players, he’s going to be mentioned in all those conversations as the best left back in the league,” Sarachan said. “We’re pleased to be able to count on Robbie as a starter, as our left back, and a guy that has everything in front of him as far as being an MLS All-Star, a U.S. National Team regular. It’s a renewed sense for him and a new life for him, and no one is looking back.”
But Rogers' maturation involves things beyond just the soccer pitch.
Just two weeks after signing his new contract, the midfielder's memoir "Coming out to Play", which he wrote along with author Eric Marcus went on sale across the country on Tuesday. The book details Rogers' life as a closeted gay man and his coming out and eventual signing with the Galaxy in 2013.
Despite Rogers' growth over the 12 months, Rogers' detailing his internal demons in print has been difficult for those close to him— even his mother Theresa.
"My mom said, when she was reading the book for the first time, that at times she laughed and at times she cried," he recently told The Advocate. "She uses words like 'glorious' and 'wonderful,' but she also would read back to times that I was really sad and depressed, and even [now] I'm like, 'Mom, don't worry, I'm over this part.'"
As he continues to move forward, Rogers' life looks bright.
On the field, he's become a valuable member of Galaxy, and off the field, along with the unveiling of his book and there also an ABC pilot Men in Shorts based on his life debuting in the coming years.
After years of internalization and frustration, Rogers can be forgiven for smiling.
“I feel like there are ups and downs in everyone’s life and you have to fight for the times that are great and you just have to ignore the people that aren’t as supportive,” Rogers said. “I think that you have to continue to work and are a good person and keep your head on your shoulders while focusing on the important things, things will come together. I feel like that if you try to do things the right way, I’ve been very lucky with how things came together.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
