Happy Birthday to former LA Galaxy star, Robbie Rogers! | OneFootball

Many stars have made history on the field during their professional soccer careers. Few have the prestige of doing so off the field, as well.

Born in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, on May 12, 1987, Robbie Rogers is a product of the IMG Soccer Academy. He later attended the University of Maryland and played for the Terrapins in 2005. In 22 games, the California native scored seven times.

Rogers would then travel overseas to play for the Dutch soccer club Heerenveen. It was a year and a half after that when the defender came back home to the States and debuted in Major League Soccer.

It was the 2007 MLS regular season when Rogers broke in to the league but it was in 2008 that he became a champion as the Columbus Crew defeated the New York Red Bulls, 3-1.

After five seasons in MLS, Rogers took a small sabbatical to play overseas again for Leeds United. Following the Los Angeles Galaxy's fourth title (and second in a row), the team added Rogers but not before he made history off the field on a greater stage than a soccer field.

How Rogers shined so bright before joining the LA Galaxy

In February 2013, Rogers announced that he is a gay man. The former Columbus Crew player came out to the world and declared his retirement from soccer after being released by Leeds United.

With his whole world changed before his eyes, it was just a few weeks later that it would be altered into another universe... or Galaxy.

Though the Chicago Fire owned his rights as a player, Rogers was able to make his way back home to California via a trade.

Twelve days after his 26th birthday, it was announced that he would be sent to the Galaxy for Mike Magee. Two months after his announcement and going public, Rogers became a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy. He joined the MLS Western Conference darlings mid-season.

Two days later, Rogers took the field for the first time for the LA Galaxy. He was subbed in late during the 4-0 victory against the Seattle Sounders. This marked the first time that an openly gay man played in any top professional sports league in North America.

One season later, Rogers added a second MLS Cup title to his resume. This time it was more historic than his first as he became the first openly gay male athlete to win a major professional team sports title in the United States.

The next year, on June 24, 2015, the LA Galaxy hosted their 2nd Annual LGBT Pride Night. It was on this evening that Rogers scored his first career goal for the Galaxy when they blewout the Portland Timbers, 5-0.

By the 2017 season, injuries had amounted for Rogers forcing him to hang up his cleats. He made 15 appearances and scored three goals for the United States' U-20 Men's National Team.

After four years on that squad, Rogers was elevated to the U-23 team, where he played in five games. He scored just one goal that year.

From 2009-2011, Rogers appeared in 18 games for the USMNT as he recorded a pair of goals during his tenure on the team.

76th Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals | Kevin Mazur/GettyImages

What is the two-time MLS Cup winner up to now?

After years of dating Greg Berlanti, the couple married in 2017. Rogers shares two children with the writer and producer. The former LA Galaxy defender made a short appearance in his husband's movie, 'Love, Simon,' as 'The Coach.'

Once a student at the London College of Fashion, he is a co-owner of a men's line called Halsey. No wonder Rogers knew what jersey to sport. The uniform of a champion and the kit of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

While the nine-year MLS veteran may not be remembered for making goals, he certainly is admired for achieving them, both on and off the field. Happy 38th Birthday, Robbie Rogers!