Rogers played in M.L.S. with the Columbus Crew before moving in 2011 to England, where he played two injury-filled seasons with Leeds United and Stevenage, a third-division team. After Rogers returned to the United States, he began working out with the Galaxy, coached by Bruce Arena, who previously coached Rogers on the United States national team.

The Fire had acquired the rights to Rogers in a Feb. 4 trade with the Crew, who won the 2008 M.L.S. Cup with Rogers’s help. But Rogers, a speedy wing, had said he was determined to play close to home — he grew up in Huntington Beach, Calif. — if he decided to resume his career.

“I don’t want to go to Chicago,” Rogers told ESPN Radio in May. “I think if it comes down to you can only play in Chicago, then I probably won’t go back. I need to do it somewhere where I’m totally 100 percent comfortable.”

The trade needs M.L.S. approval, and Rogers also needs to acquire an international transfer certificate because he last played in England. He has not played a competitive match since January.