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In a story that has had plenty of tough times, this particular Wednesday night was a very special night for Robbie Rogers.

The world’s only openly gay male professional footballer, his team LA Galaxy had organised a Pride Night and encouraged members of the lesbian, gay, bi and trans communities to come to the Stubhub Center to see the Galaxy’s game with the Portland Timbers.

Rainbow scarves were handed out on entrance and the ground was buzzing with anticipation, only needing to wait 33 minutes for the fairytale moment.

(Image: LA Galaxy Twitter)

“It was very special to score my first goal since coming out on Pride Night,” Rogers tells MirrorSport under the midday sun of Los Angeles.

“There was a large group of the LGBT community in the stadium so it was kinda cool for them too to be in the stadium and experience that.

“It was great to see the rainbow scarves and it was just cool to be part of the whole event and to get to speak to them at the end. For many of them it was their first time in the stadium and obviously it was an exciting game for the fans, with us scoring five goals, so hopefully they’ll come back and become part of the Galaxy community.”

(Image: FameFlynet)

Speaking to Rogers is a rare privilege. Since coming out of the closet in an emotional letter in February 2013, the media glare on the California-born star has been sometimes overwhelming. The announcement itself came weeks after being released by Leeds United as the former USA international winger looked to avoid what he termed “a circus.”

Indeed, last season as Rogers struggled for form he instructed his agent and Galaxy’s media department to turn down interview requests as he looked to concentrate on football and winning a place back in the team.

As it happened, he would end up dropping down to the second team, moving around positionally and eventually stumbling across a new role for himself a left-back – where he has been reborn and excelled.

(Image: Getty)

Now a fixture in the Galaxy side as they fly up the Western Conference standings, there is talk of an international recall for the 28-year-old for the first time since 2011.

“That’s Jurgen Klinsmann’s job to decide,” says Galaxy coach Bruce Arena with a proud smile on his face. Arena was US head coach for eight years and is keenly trying to avoid piling more pressure on Klinsmann.

“Robbie’s been out a long time. He’s getting back into form now, but he’s going to have to show it week in and week out to get into the US national team.”

(Image: Alex Livesey - FIFA)

It would be a monumental comeback story for a player who had tumbled through the leagues and given up the game for fear of reprisals over his sexuality, to returning to the international stage once again.

“A lot of the pressure from initially coming out has died down now and he can live a normal life, as he should be able to,” Arena continues.

“So it’s great and it’s going to allow him to grow as a player. If he’s got aspirations to play for the national team then he’s going to have the chance to show it here.”

While Rogers speaks warmly about his treatment at the hands of other pros and people within the game, no other professional soccer players from major leagues have come out since the American published his 408-word letter in 2013. But is football more receptive and ready to embrace homosexuality than it was?

“I have felt that for the past few years now,” he says. “Obviously there are ‘not out’ footballers around the world and that reminds me of the atmosphere in the locker room, especially what it was like for me before I came out.

“It’s very much changing in the MLS – I have friends in every team and they tell me how things have changed, the sensitivity to using certain words and stuff like that.

“That being said, the next two World Cups are in places that are extremely homophobic and there aren’t really any out footballers around Europe or South America so it hasn’t really changed that much.”

And with a potential international recall on the horizon, the thoughts will inevitably turn to those World Cups.

Qatari sports minister Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al-Ahli recently admitted that the Middle-Eastern state had not yet decided how to accommodate homosexual visitors to the country for the 2022 World Cup. Indeed, he called for “creative” solutions.

(Image: Getty)

And infamously, outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter said in 2010 that LGBT visitors to Qatar for the tournament “should refrain from any sexual activities.”

With that in mind, would Rogers consider boycotting the World Cups in protest over the Russian and Qatari stances towards homosexuality?

Not a chance.

(Image: Reuters)

“I think what I’ve learned from my experience of coming out and being present in the locker room is that by being there it is more of a statement than boycotting or something like that.

“So if I were to go to Russia or Qatar then I would do it and I would be extremely flamboyant about it.”

It’s a fighter’s attitude, but that should be no surprise.

This is a trailblazer who has returned from retirement to the cusp of being once again recognized at the top of his sport. And whether an international recall comes for Rogers or not, the sight of him celebrating his first goal since coming out to a backdrop of rainbow scarves promises a lot for the future.

Indeed, you feel that for this comfortable, confident footballer, every night is Pride Night.

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