Robbie Rogers

At 36 years old, Robbie Rogers has this physical status:

Robert Hampton Rogers III (born May 12, 1987) is a television producer and former American professional soccer player.

He played as a winger and as a left back.

Rogers has also represented the United States men's national soccer team.

In February 2013, Rogers came out as gay, becoming the second male soccer player in Britain to do so after Justin Fashanu in 1990.

On May 26, 2013, he became the first openly gay man to compete in a top North American professional sports league when he played his first match for the LA Galaxy.After one season playing college soccer at the University of Maryland, Rogers attracted the interest of Dutch Eredivisie side Heerenveen.

He signed for Heerenveen in August 2006 but failed to make any first-team appearances.

He left the club by mutual consent in February 2007, and returned to the United States to sign for Columbus Crew.

Rogers' four-year tenure at Columbus Crew was a successful one, with the player breaking through into the first-team, as well as securing an MLS Cup title in 2008 and two Supporters' Shield wins in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

In December 2011, Rogers opted to leave Crew when his contract expired.

A month later, he signed for Championship side Leeds United on a free transfer.

The first six months of his Leeds career were blighted by injury, and he was transfer-listed ahead of the 2012–13 season.

In August 2012, Rogers joined League One team Stevenage on a loan deal until January 2013.

At the end of Rogers' loan agreement at Stevenage, he briefly returned to Leeds before it was announced he had left the club by mutual consent. After briefly retiring and coming out as gay upon leaving Leeds, Rogers signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy in May 2013, becoming the first openly gay male athlete to join MLS or any of the five major North American sports leagues.

Early life and education

Robbie Rogers was born in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, the son of Theresa and Robert Hampton Rogers II. He has one brother, Timothy, and three sisters, Nicole Camilla, Alicia, and Katie Rose. His mother's family is originally from the Columbus, Ohio area, where Rogers played for Columbus Crew. His maternal grandfather is a graduate of Ohio State University and his mother spent her early childhood years in Dublin, Ohio, before the family moved to California.

When growing up, Rogers enjoyed surfing, and he still surfs. He also enjoys playing table tennis and has a strong interest in music. Rogers said that his favorite athlete is Zlatan Ibrahimović.

Rogers was accepted to study at the London College of Fashion and is a co-owner of Halsey, a menswear fashion company. He designs, and models for the company; and blogs about men’s fashion at Rogers & Becker with friend and stylist Warren Becker.

Personal life

In February 2013, Rogers came out as gay. In October 2014, the American Broadcasting Company closed a deal to air Men in Shorts, a single-camera comedy based on Rogers' career and coming out. Storyline Entertainment and Universal Television optioned the rights to his story in July 2014, and he is credited as a producer.

Rogers began dating television writer producer Greg Berlanti in 2013, and on February 18, 2016, they welcomed their first child, a son, via surrogacy. On December 31, 2016, Rogers and Berlanti announced they had become engaged. They were married on December 2, 2017, in Malibu, California. On May 13, 2019, Rogers and Berlanti had a second child, a daughter.

Rogers is a devout Roman Catholic. He stated that "Being Catholic—and people may disagree—but we are called to love everyone. Be honest. Be true in your relationship with God. I’ve always lived that way."

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Club career

Rogers started playing soccer at the American Youth Soccer Organization at age four-and-a-half. Rogers played soccer in the Coast Soccer League and also in other Hispanic leagues at the age of seven. He attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, where he was a two-time High School All-American in soccer. Rogers made three appearances for the Orange County Blue Star of the USL Premier Development League in 2005, before deciding to enroll college in the fall. He spent one season of college soccer at the University of Maryland, alongside his future Columbus Crew colleague Jason Garey, and was instrumental in the team's triumph in the 2005 NCAA Championship. He scored seven times and assisted in a further five goals during his one season at UMD. In addition, he was selected in the ACC All-Conference Freshman team, as well as the Year's Soccer Rookie Team.

Rogers, after excelling during his one-year of college football for the Maryland Terrapins, piqued Heerenveen, the Dutch Ethiomer side. Heerenveen invited Rogers to the club for a three-week trial in the summer of 2006, an option that he ultimately declined to. The trial period was fruitful, and he signed a two-year professional deal with the Dutch side in August 2006, his first professional contract. Rogers admitted that the decision to become a professional and suspend three years of eligibility at Maryland was "the most difficult of his life," but he also stated that it was "a challenge he could not pass up." Rogers, on the other hand, missed out on a first-team appearance for the club, although he did play for the reserve team, which went on to win their respective leagues during the 2006–07 season. He left Heerenveen by mutual consent in February 2007.

Rogers returned to the United States and was signed by the Columbus Crew of MLS ahead of the 2007 MLS season. Rogers was acquired by the Columbus Crew after the player's winning a Draft Lottery in March 2007. On June 17, 2007, he scored his first goal for the club, netting the first goal of the game against the New England Revolution in a 3–3 draw. During the 2007 season, Rogers scored two more times, both of whom culminated in a 3–2 win over Washington, D.C. United at RFK Stadium. During his first season with Crew, he made ten appearances while also providing one assist.

Rogers will have his breakthrough season as a pro in 2008. In a 4–3 home win over CD Chivas USA on April 13, 2008, he began playing regularly for Crew, scoring his first goals of the season. He went on to score the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over the Kansas City Wizards on May 4, 2008, before netting twice a week later as Crew defeated San Jose Earthquakes 3–2 to extend their winning streak to five matches. Rogers was named MLS Player of the Week for week seven after his two goals against Earthquakes. Rogers' sixth goal of the season came in a 3–1 home victory over the New York Red Bulls at Columbus Crew Stadium in September 2008. He continued to score in the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs, scoring the club's second in a 2–0 victory over the Kansas City Wizards; a victory that guaranteed Crew continued to the Conference final. Rogers appeared in all four of Crew's MLS Cup games, including in the final, where they beat the New York Red Bulls 3–1 at The Home Depot Center in November 2008. Rogers' season was fruitful both personally and collectively, as he was named in the MLS Best XI team for the year, as well as picking up Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup silverware. He made 33 appearances during the 2008 season, scoring seven times and assisting three goals.

Rogers scored his first goal of the 2009 season in seven games, but Rogers won by 3–0 over San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium on August 9, 2009. It was his only goal of the 2009 MLS season, but he did score two goals in two CONCACAF Champions League matches against Puerto Rico Islanders and Deportivo Saprissa respectively. Rogers won his second Supporters' Shield championship during the season after the Crew finished first in the overall standings, a point ahead of the second placed Los Angeles Galaxy. The club lost 4–2 on aggregate after losing a Conference semi-final defeat to Real Salt Lake, losing 4–2 on aggregate, with Rogers playing in both games. He made 31 appearances in all sports and scored three goals.

Rogers made 34 appearances and scored twice during his fourth season with the Columbus Crew. In a 3–2 victory over New England Revolution in May 2010, Rogers' goal came in the 91st minute of the game. In a 2–1 victory over the Colorado Rapids in the MLS Cup Conference semi-finals, he also scored. Despite Rogers' goal, the eventual champions Rapids would gain the tie 5–4 on penalties after extra-time. Rogers started his career in the club's first game of the season by scoring a late consolation point as the Crew defeated D.C. United 3–1. In a 1–0 home win over Sporting Kansas City at Columbus Crew Stadium in April 2011, he scored his first goal of the season. In a season where he played 30 times, it was supposed to be his last game for the club. In the MLS Cup wildcard game on October 28, 2011, he was beaten 1–0 by the Colorado Rapids in his last game for the club. He led the team in assists during his last season with the club, and was also named the 'Crew Hardest Working Player' award. Rogers was a free agent after he turned down a contract extension at Columbus Crew in December 2011. He made 138 appearances and scored 17 times during his five years at Crew.

Rogers left Columbus Crew for the first two weeks of trial in December 2011, before embarking on a permanent basis in January 2012. Rogers praised his national team coach Jürgen Klinsmann, who in turn called Leeds manager Simon Grayson, who in turn summoned Rogers for a hearing at Elland Road. A week after signing for the club, his work permit was released. In an eventual 3–2 home win over Doncaster Rovers on February 18, 2012, he made his debut on February 18, 2012 as a 79th-minute replacement. However, he had to be recalled just ten minutes into his debut after suffering a serious head clash with Doncaster defender Tommy Spurr. Rogers was effectively barred from first-team action for several weeks due to the head injury. Rogers made his first appearance under new manager Neil Warnock in April 2012, losing by 21-0 to promotion chasing Reading at the Madejski Stadium. After bringing back Robert Snodgrass, he was given the captain's armband during the game. Rogers made his first appearance for the club in a home match against Peterborough United a week later on April 14. He was called back after just ten minutes after suffering an ankle injury on his debut. The ankle injury will keep him out for the remainder of the season. Rogers made four appearances in the second half of the 2011-2012 season, his first few months at the club were marred by injuries.

Rogers boss Neil Warnock expressed disappointment at his insistence that the upcoming season be able to have a complete pre-season. Rogers returned to the United States in June 2012 to enroll in a rehabilitation program, as well as two weeks training with the Los Angeles Galaxy team. He returned to Leeds in July 2012 and was active in a number of the club's pre-season friendlies; scoring in spectacular victories over Farsley and Tavistock respectively. Rogers and teammate Danny Pugh had been placed on the transfer list a few weeks before the new season, in order to raise funds for a new striker.

Rogers joined Stevenage, a League One side, on a loan until January 2013. Rogers always impressed Stevenage, according to Gary Smith, former Colorado Rapids manager Gary Smith, who spent time in the United States, while in charge of MLS, who also worked in the United States. He made his Stevenage debut on August 25, joining the club as a late replacement against Oldham Athletic. Rogers made nine appearances in all competitions during his five-month loan tenure, with his time with the club "hampered by injury." On January 15, 2013, he returned to his parent club.

Rogers had left Leeds by mutual agreement and was available on a free transfer. During his time at the club, he made just four appearances, three of whom were as a replacement.

Rogers announced his retirement from professional soccer at the age of 25 on February 15, 2013, making him the first professional soccer player based in Britain to come out since Justin Fashanu did so in 1990. Rogers wrote, "I'm a soccer player, I'm Christian, and I'm gay" in a 408-word post on his personal website, robbiehrogers.com, in which Rogers wrote, "I'm a soccer player, I'm Christian, and I'm gay." These are all things that people may not agree with. My family taught me to be a leader and not to stand up for what I believe in."

Rogers said in a March 2013 interview with The Guardian, he retired to escape the press and criticism from journalists and followers, whom he described as "the circus." "Are people coming to see you because you are gay," Rogers said. I want to do interviews every day, where people are curious: 'So you're taking showers with guys?'

Jason Collins, a basketball player, came out as gay in April 2013, so he sought out Rogers for tips on dealing with the media.

Rogers joined the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer as a "unique visitor" on May 1, 2013. Rogers said he made the decision to return in April 2013 after speaking to a crowd of 500 at an LGBT youth conference in Portland, Oregon, where he "seriously felt like a coward." "These children are standing up for themselves and changing the world," Rogers told USA TODAY Sports, "These kids are standing up for themselves and changing the world, and while I'm 25, I have a platform and a voice to be a role model." How much of a coward was I to not step up to the plate? Bruce Arena, the Galaxy coach, had a blast with him in Los Angeles.

Rogers and the Galaxy came to an agreement on May 24, 2013 while Rogers and Chicago Fire SC repurchased their MLS rights in exchange for Mike Magee. Rogers had no intention of playing for Chicago, although the Fire held his MLS rights, but he wanted to be close to his family in Southern California.

Rogers played in his first match as a replacement for the Galaxy in a 4–0 victory over the Seattle Sounders FC, becoming the first openly gay man to play in a top North American professional sports league (Collins, who had been out earlier this month, was a free agent at the time of his announcement).

When the Galaxy were crowned MLS Cup champions in 2014, Rogers became the first openly gay male athlete to win a major professional team sports title in the United States.

Rogers scored his first goal for the Galaxy in a 5-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on June 24, 2015. Rogers had a special meaning as it was held on the Galaxy's 2nd Annual LGBT Pride Night.

Rogers resigned from active service on November 7, 2017 after a string of injuries that caused him to miss the entire 2017 season.

International career

Rogers made eight appearances for the United States U18 team, scoring three goals and assisting two others in unofficial friendly matches, though all were in unofficial friendly matches. He then went on to play for the United States U20 team from 2004 to 2007. He was a member of the 2006 Milk Cup as well as representing his country at the 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup, and was active in all five of his country's games throughout the tournament. He made 15 appearances on the U20 team, scoring three goals.

In 2008, he was selected to participate in the United States U23 team's two-game tour of China; in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing. In a 3–3 draw with China U23, he scored one goal and assisted another one. He was then called up by coach Piotr Nowak to be part of the 18-man U23 Olympic team and competed in all three games for the United States after he was disqualified from the tournament in the preliminary round.

Rogers were called up by then-head coach Bob Bradley in October 2008 for a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago. However, he had to withdraw from the squad due to a back injury, and Chris Rolfe was subsequently brought into the squad. Rogers was then drafted in a 25-man January camp for a friendly against Sweden on January 24, 2009. In a 3–2 victory at The Home Depot Center, he got the game started, his first cap for his country at senior level. He was selected in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad for the United States. He started in his country's first match of the tournament, assisting the first two goals before scoring his third in a 6-4 victory over Grenada on July 5, 2009. Rogers made five appearances in the tournament, including a debut in the final, which the United States lost to Mexico.

Rogers was invited to participate in the United States' final two 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in October 2009 after impressing during the Gold Cup. Despite being left out of the squad for the 3–2 victory over Honduras on October 11, 2009, he did appear as a second-half substitute in a 2–2 draw with Costa Rica four days later. Rogers came on when the United States was losing 2–0 and gave the game to 2–2. Rogers made two more appearances in friendly matches against Slovakia and Denmark in November 2009, bringing his senior team's total number to nine.

As the United States began preparing for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Rogers began in 2010 by participating in two friendlies against CONCACAF rivals Honduras and El Salvador. Rogers was selected for the 30-man World Cup's preliminary roster in May 2010, and he appeared in a warm-up friendly against Czech Republic on May 25, 2010, serving as a second-half replacement. He was one of seven players dropped from the final squad a day later. He made one more appearance in 2010 in a friendly held in Cape Town on November 17, 2010.

Rogers was selected in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup team and began in a warm-up friendly against World champions Spain four days before the tournament began, his 14th capt. However, he did not appear at the tournament for the second time in a row, while the United States lost in the final to Mexico. In Jürgen Klinsmann's first match as the United States head coach, he scored in a 1–1 draw against Mexico in a friendly played at Lincoln Financial Field in August 2011. Rogers scored his first touch as a replacement after being on the team's poor cross to recover parity in Brek Shea. In 2011, he made three more appearances for the United States, most of which were in friendly matches. Rogers has made 18 appearances for his country, scoring two goals, as of December 2014.

Career statistics

The SuperLiga and Football League Trophy's "other" refers to appearances and goals.

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