[MLS/OLYMPICS] His second-year in MLS has seen Robbie Rogers score five goals in 17 starts for the Columbus Crew while earning MLS All-Star team selection and a spot of the U.S. Olympic team, which opens against Japan on Thursday. Get to know Rogers in this profile by Soccer America's Bryan Alvarez that covers on- and off-field experiences …
ROBBIE ROGERS
(Columbus Crew)
POSITION: Midfield
AGE: 21
HOMETOWN: Huntington Beach, Calif.
YOUTH CLUB: South Bay SC (5 years)
COLLEGE: Maryland
INTERNATIONAL: U-17, U-18, U-20, U-23 national teams.
STARTING OUT: I started playing soccer when I was 5 years old. My sisters played. It was something that I enjoyed and early on it came easy to me. I had great coaches who helped me enjoy the game, too. So, it was a natural decision.
EARLY SOCCER MEMORY: I was on one of my first teams and I scored my first goal. I was so excited. Unfortunately, it was on the wrong goal.
FIRST CLEATS: A cheap pair of Mitres.
CURRENT CLEATS: Nike Legends. I like simple leather cleats.
OTHER SPORTS: I played baseball, basketball and I did judo until I was 13.
FAVORITE TEAMS: Arsenal, Los Angeles Lakers.
FAVORITE PLAYER: I have a lot. Johan Cruyff, Juergen Klinsmann, Zinedine Zidane. Outside of soccer there's Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
FAVORITE MOVIES: "The Last of the Mohicans."
FAVORITE ACTOR: Edward Norton.
FAVORITE ACTRESS: None.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: "Entourage."
LIVING SITUATION: I live with Brad Evans in downtown Columbus. It's great. We have a pool and I'm close to everything I need.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: My teammate Emmanuel Ekpo has done well. Sean Franklin has done really well for the LA Galaxy.
MLS EXPERIENCE: Last year was my first year in the league. I had three goals in 10 games but I wish I could have contributed more. We didn't make the playoffs so that was disappointing. This year, I've played every game. With the team, there's been a big turnaround. I'm happy to be a part of that. This year we really feel like we could make a run and maybe get a championship. It's exciting.
ALL-STAR SELECTION: It's pretty surprising because I wasn't expecting it. I'm honored to be selected by coaches and peers.
COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: It was awesome. I wish it were longer. I was only there for one year and we won the national championship. On that team, we had a lot of guys that are in the league now like Maurice Edu, Marc Burch and Chris Seitz. I don't have any regrets.
MOST INFLUENTIAL COACH: There have been so many. Nick Theslof was a youth coach who helped me with fundamentals and helped me find the joy of the game. Sasho Cirovski helped me so much, too, at Maryland. [Crew coach] Sigi's [Schmid] helped me have success in the league. All three have helped me so much.
MEMORABLE COACHING ADVICE: Before going into U.S. U-17 residency, Juergen Klinsmann told me that you have to make sure that you're happy off the field to perform well on the field. I still remember that.
HOBBIES: When I'm in California, I go to the beach, the pool and I hang out with friends. I also like ping-pong, soccer tennis and volleyball. I'm a beach guy. When I'm in Columbus, I hang out with teammates, go to the pool or to the movies.
MUSIC: I like Mars Volta, Muse, old stuff from The Used and Interpol. I like some rap too. I'm a big fan of Common.
VACATION: Huntington Beach. You can't find a better place. I'd also like to visit Monte Carlo and Australia.
FAMOUS PEOPLE YOU'D INVITE TO DINNER: I don't know. I'd like to meet a lot of people from history. There are too many to list.