CARSON, Calif. –Robbie Rogers earned his first competitive minutes since Aug. 20th, but the LA Galaxy midfielder admits that he still has a ways to go to get back to full fitness.
Rogers came on in the 68th minute of LA’s scoreless draw with the San Jose Earthquakes in place of midfielder Michael Stephens, but despite several dangerous runs he was unable to help LA break the deadlock. At times the speed was there from Rogers, but his sharpness was lacking as he looked went through his first appearance in nearly two months.
“It's been quite a while,” Rogers said after his first MLS regular season appearance since July. “It felt good to be out there. It felt, I don't know, just kind of like finally. Finally I'm helping the team out.”
Said Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena of Rogers' 22 miuntes shift: "He did okay, he has been out for a while. He made a couple good plays for us, I think he could have maybe been a little sharper on the ball. He was part of a play that created a chance on goals. ... He did okay."
With the Galaxy heading to El Salvador this week for their CONCACAF Champions League finale, Rogers expects to earn minutes against Isidro Metapán as he seeks to help LA during their playoff push.
“I think for sure I need to play in that Champions League game,” said Rogers. “I think that would be important for me, and hopefully play as long as I can. I think that's important for my fitness and my game sharpness. It's been [two] months since I played, and there's a lot of improvement I need to make.”
