Team Says Robbie Rogers Has Been Added To LA Galaxy Roster
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles Galaxy Sunday said Robbie Rogers has officially been added to the team's roster.
The team said they formally received the 26-year-old midfielder's International Transfer Certificate.
"He is eligible to make his debut for us tonight against Seattle," Justin Pearson, Senior Manager of Communications, wrote in a statement.
Rogers signed a multi-year contract with the team this weekend just three months after announcing that he was retiring from soccer after coming out publicly.
"I kept my secret because I thought I couldn't be both a soccer player and a gay athlete. I figured that out that that's not true but I felt that way," Rogers said. "I was afraid to put myself back in a situation where I felt like I was kind of an outcast I guess or just different than people but through this whole process I've realized that everyone is a bit different."
Rogers was introduced to the media Saturday as the newest member of the LA Galaxy. In so doing, Rogers also became the first openly gay player in major league soccer.
"The Galaxy has always been an organization that has blazed a trail in our league," LA Galaxy President Chris Klein said.
"There's probably no other club better equipped to handle the attention that is going to come," Alexi Lalas, a current television analyst, said Saturday. "I talked to one of the players earlier and he said 'Look, we went through a David Beckham era.' So the attention is something that they're used to, is incredibly supportive, and I think that that runs through not just the Galaxy but also major league soccer."
Rogers says he's gotten a lot of support and questions, including a call from NBA player Jason Collins, who came out last month.
"He just called to ask … just for a little advice of the steps that I took after I posted my letter," Rogers said.
The Galaxy is expected to take on the Seattle Sounders at The Home Depot Center on Sunday.
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