Reports: Robbie Rogers returns to MLS with L.A. Galaxy, will be first openly gay player
Robbie Rogers is returning to MLS as its first openly gay player. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
UPDATE (9:21 p.m.) - Steven Goff of the Washington Post reports via Twitter that the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chicago Fire have agreed to a trade that will send Robbie Rogers' MLS rights to Los Angeles in exchange for the Galaxy's leading scorer Mike Magee.
https://twitter.com/SoccerInsider/status/338096903898144768
https://twitter.com/SoccerInsider/status/338098494009118720
Magee, a native of Chicago, has scored six goals in 11 games for the Galaxy so far in 2013.
ORIGINAL POST - Months after coming out as gay and retiring from the game of soccer, American midfielder Robbie Rogers will make his return to the sport with Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, according to a USA Today report.
However, there is a potential roadblock to the deal not mentioned in the report. Rogers' MLS rights are currently held by the Chicago Fire, meaning a deal would need to be made between the Chicago and Los Angeles clubs for Rogers to become the first openly gay soccer player in Major League Soccer.
According to the USA Today report, Rogers cited a visit on April 25 to a group of 500 kids at the Nike Be True LGBT Youth Forum in Portland as an "epiphany." Rogers referred to himself as a "coward" for stepping away from soccer after revealing his sexuality in February and wanted to return to use his platform to become a role model for kids.
Rogers reportedly reached out to longtime friend and future teammate Landon Donovan and garnered support from him. After considering the circumstances surrounding his return to soccer, Rogers said his life is now "in order" and he's ready to return to the pitch.
I want to come back and be that voice, be that role model," Rogers says. "I want to compete on the field. I want to make it back to the national team. I want to be a role model. I have a lot of motivating factors working for me right now."
