CARSON, Calif. – This summer has been a rollercoaster for LA Galaxy midfielder Robbie Rogers, but now the 26-year-old is ready to get back to what he does best—play soccer.
The hoopla that surrounded his coming out and the subsequent trade of his rights to the Galaxy from the Chicago Fire in exchange Mike Magee dominated the headlines, but the midfielder has struggled to make a lasting impact on the field. To date, Rogers has made nine appearances with six starts in MLS league play as well as an appearance in U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League.
Out since Aug. 20 with a left hamstring injury, Rogers went through his second full day of training on Tuesday and hopes to return to game action sooner rather than later -- possibly as soon as LA's match against the Montreal Impact on Oct. 16.
Although it has been an “unlucky summer” for Rogers that has seen him deal with frustrations he’s hopeful that he’ll be able to get back on the field.
“You come back from having five months off and then you retire, but then you come back to a sport that was rough for you when you were younger with being gay and, then once you have the courage to come back, you get injured three times and then get sick in the middle of that. It’s very frustrating,” said Rogers. “But I’m happy that I play here [with the Galaxy] and that I have my family here to support me. I love doing this, I feel like I’ve immersed myself in the team and I love being able to train here. It’s frustrating [not being able to play], but it’s part of sports.
“This summer has been a bitch for me, to be honest, but I feel good now,” said Rogers. “Knock on wood that I won’t have any more injuries because that could possibly be [the end of] my season if I do.”
As for the connection with Magee and the vocal minority of the Galaxy fanbase that mention the trade? Rogers is pushing that out of his mind.
“They can say all they want with Mike Magee, but the truth is that he asked for a trade and [Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena] said that he wouldn’t have traded Mike Magee if he hadn’t asked for a trade,” said Rogers. “That puts pressure on me…but people can say that if they want, if they want to blame something, I don’t care. I get to be out here and play soccer in my home town and in front of my family. That’s what I wanted, but I’ll get over these injuries and those expectations will be there again.”
