CARSON, CA (November 7, 2017) – The LA Galaxy announced today that defender Robbie Rogers will retire from professional soccer. Rogers did not play a single minute in the 2017 season after having off-season foot surgery. The left midfielder/left back ends his 11 year career, with most of his time spent in MLS with the LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew.
Robbie Rogers Retires From Professional Soccer
Rogers is originally from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. He played one year of college soccer at the University of Maryland, winning the 2005 National Championship. The 30-year-old went on to SC Heerenveen in Holland, before coming to MLS to play for Sigi Schmid at Columbus Crew. Rogers made 106 appearances in five years with the club, winning the 2008 MLS Cup.
He went on to Leeds United who were in the Championship in 2011. After a tough season, a loan stint, and struggling with a decision to come out as homosexual, Rogers elected to retire from soccer in February 2013. He chose to return to the game just a few months later, sighting missing the game and having a desire to be a role model for the community. After a trade that sent Mike Magee to the Chicago Fire, Rogers officially joined the Galaxy in May, making his debut on May 26, 2013.
Rogers became the starting left back for the 2014 season, and helped the Galaxy to a 2014 MLS Cup Championship.
“It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from the game of soccer,” said Rogers. “It is through this game that I have experienced some of my greatest achievements both professionally and personally and I am forever indebted to the numerous individuals – coaches, teammates, staff and fans – that have helped me during this journey. I want to personally thank Mr. Anschutz, Dan Beckerman and the entire AEG family for the opportunities and continual support they have given me during my time with the LA Galaxy. I would like to thank Bruce Arena for encouraging me to return to professional soccer after I came out as a gay man. I’d also like to thank all of my LA Galaxy teammates for accepting me from the first day I stepped back into the locker room at StubHub Center. Finally, I’d like to thank the fans for their continued support throughout my career. I’ll never forget the feeling of returning to the field in my first game back. That feeling of acceptance and support pushed me as an athlete and as a person. Having the opportunity to win an MLS Cup in my hometown, with my hometown club as an openly gay man will be something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I will remain deeply connected to this sport and its surrounding community. I leave the game full of pride of what I have accomplished as a person and a player. I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life,” said Rogers.
Rogers became the first openly gay athlete to win a major sports championship in 2014 when Rogers won MLS Cup with the Galaxy. He is a member of the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his fiancé and their young son.
