Robbie Rogers reflects on his historic night with the LA Galaxy
By Mike Dyce
Washington Wizards player Jason Collins was the first player in one of the four major North American sports to come out. LA Galaxy player Robbie Rogers became the first openly gay male in U.S. professional team sports to compete.
And as you can imagine breaking down barriers and being the spot light comes with some nerves and Robbie Rogers wasn’t immune to the pregame jitters.
“I guess part of me was just afraid – not afraid, but a little nervous, I guess,” Rogers said, via Pro Soccer Talk. “I understand that, I guess, historically this is a big thing, but for me, it’s just another soccer game. So I’ve kind of been battling with both of those things: ‘OK, a soccer game: I’ve done this a million times.’ But then, obviously, I’m not naïve, I know people are watching.”
Rogers didn’t step onto the pitch until the 77th minute of the Galaxy’s beat down of the Seattle Sounders, Rogers came on for Juninho.
“OK, I’m back, this is normal,” Rogers told himself as he walked on the pitch. “Great, very supportive [crowd]. I keep saying the word ‘normal, normal,’ but once I got on, I zoned in, was hopeful for getting a goal or something. It was good to be back. I’m just excited to move on from here.”
While many were focused on the barrier’s he was breaking through, Rogers was hoping to get a better feel for his fitness in the game.
“I only had a few touches, so I was happy to get a few touches,” Rogers said. “My running felt pretty good – I felt like I haven’t lost too much speed – but it was 4-0, so it’s hard to say. … I think the real test will come maybe Wednesday [in the US Open Cup meeting with the NASL’s Carolina RailHawks] or the weekend [at New England].”
LA Galaxy manager Bruce Arena will hold off judging Rogers performance on the pitch till he has more time and opportunities.
“In terms of a player, he can’t be judged tonight. He can’t be judged in the next couple of weeks,” Arena said. “Down the road, he can be judged as a player. It’s way too early.”
With all his family and friends present to support him, Rogers could only think of one word to describe the night, “perfect, really perfect.”