CARSON, Calif. – Any doubts about Robbie Rogers’ switch from midfield to left back have been erased as far as the LA Galaxy are concerned.
Coaches and players have been so impressed with the 27-year-old that they believe he merits new consideration for the U.S. men’s national team.
“He’s a player who’s grown in stature in that position,” said Robbie Keane, who assisted on Alan Gordon’s winning goal in Saturday’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over FC Dallas in front of 22,863 at StubHub Center. “I think you’re looking at probably the best left back in the league. Certainly no question about that.
“If (U.S. national team coach Jurgen) Klinsmann is watching the games no question he should be looked at. He’s been brilliant. That’s how much he’s come on.”
He was so impressive against FC Dallas that Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena thought Rogers sent in the pass for Gordon’s winning header in the 84th minute. That honor went to Keane, who now has 14 assists, but Rogers was superb nonetheless.
“He made my job really easy,” said Landon Donovan, who returned to the starting lineup after a one-game absence for yellow-card accumulation. “I can’t remember a game where I had that many opportunities to run forward because he did such a good job behind me. He picked off a lot of passes, he defended well, he got the ball to me in really good spots and it made a difference.
“He was terrific.”
Rogers joined the Galaxy in May, 2013 in a controversial trade involving the popular Mike Magee, who went to the Chicago Fire for Rogers’ signing rights, and he hasn’t exactly had a smooth transition to the back line. A series of leg injuries this season have limited him to 15 appearances, including 11 starts, and he even saw duty with the club’s USL PRO side, Galaxy II.
Rogers also admitted he was disappointed with himself in recent ties with Montreal and San Jose, but he was excellent Saturday in a performance he attributed to a more concerted effort in training.
“I thought today was a big challenge,” he said. “I thought last week there were some moments where I was a little disappointed with my defending. I made a point of this week of really focusing on that. They’re a great team going forward, with a lot of passing options.”
Rogers hasn’t appeared with the national team since 2011, but the switch to left back could help revive a career which appeared to have ended prematurely in February, 2013 when he retired after being released by England’s Leeds United and then revealed he was gay.
“It’s definitely best for me,” he told reporters about playing at left back. “I’m really enjoying myself. I haven’t talked to Jurgen since I came out, so I don’t know.”
Count fellow Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez among those who continue to be impressed with his play.
“I can’t say enough about him,” he said. “To come into a new position midway through the year and show so well says a lot about the guy, what kind of talent he is.
“Tonight he did a great job.”
