Rogers Debuts as First Openly Gay Athlete with Galaxy, Redlands Native

Robbie Rogers, a 26-year-old midfielder from Huntington Beach, became the first openly gay athlete to appear in major U.S. team sports Sunday night when he debuted with the Los Angeles Galaxy and Redlands native Landon Donovan.

"For me, it's inspiring in that it's OK to be who we are," Donovan told reporters after the Galaxy's 4-0 defeat of Seattle Sounders FC in Carson. "We all have differences, we all have things were going through and for him to accept who he is and be proud of who he is I think inspires all of us both as athletes and as people."

Rogers came for Juninho in the 77th minute, replacing the Brazilian in front of a supportive crowd that included Rogers' immediate family and friends, according to www.lagalaxy.com.

"The impact that he had on the game was minute as he connected just three of four passes while being dispossessed twice, but the 26-year-old was well aware of the impact that he made socially," the club reported.

Rogers was a two-time high school All-American at Mater Dei in Santa Ana. He helped Columbus win the 2008 MLS Cup and he was selected to the 2008 MLS Best XI squad. He's also played for the U.S. national team, and for two teams in Europe.

In February, after leaving second-tier English team Leeds United, Rogers posted a letter online in which he revealed he is gay, the Los Angeles Times reported. Rogers wrote about the emotional toll of keeping his sexual orientation secret, and said he would "step away" from soccer.

Rogers did not address retirement, though, fueling speculation he might someday return to MLS to play near his hometown with the Galaxy.

In Sunday night's match, Galaxy and Ireland captain Robbie Keane set up Sean Franklin's goal and netted three himself, two on penalty kicks, all in the first half.

Donovan, who returned earlier this season from a self-imposed break from soccer, had missed two penalty kicks in recent Galaxy matches and he did not take any penalties Sunday night.