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Give & Go: Columbus Crew’s Robbie Rogers
The budding star talks with Goal.com about his team’s chances in the MLS playoffs, his desire to get back to Europe, and how Ohioans ignore Beckham.
Nov 7, 2008 2:15:20 PM
Last year’s Columbus Crew were an erratic, often underperforming squad.
But since day one in the 2008 season, the Crew played with a determined
focus, surprising the league by winning the Supporter’s Shield.
Perhaps no Crew player embodies that turnaround quite like Robbie Rogers. Sent packing from Dutch Eredivisie side Heerenveeen before last season, the US youth international was slowly incorporated into the floundering 2007 Crew, with the mind of a greater role in 2008. This season, Rogers maximized his lauded potential, and in the process enjoyed the fruits a starring role: the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the Beijing Olympics, and possibly an MLS Best XI selection.
On the eve of Saturday’s winner-takes-all home game against the Kansas City Wizards, Rogers spoke exclusively with Goal.com.
Goal.com: How would you rate the team’s performance in the first leg?
Rogers: I think we are a little disappointed by the way we played. We created chances, but we weren’t clean in the final third and that’s something we are usually pretty good about. Playing in Kansas City is tough. Their team is good, and it’s hard to play in front of their fans. But we are really excited to get in front of our own.
Goal.com: What’s the goal of the first leg in a home-and-home series? How do you approach a road game?
Rogers: We tried to keep it simple and have a very clean game and focus on the game. We really think of it as a normal game, like any other we want to win it. At halftime Sigi Schmid said to all of us to be smart, don’t pickup any yellow cards because of the return leg, and the conference finals. So there is a little bit of controlling the mentality and perspective. But for the most part, it’s just a fight – you go in, try to win.
Goal.com: Does the mentality differ for the home game?
Rogers: Coming home, we have to win. If we don’t win, we’re out. It’s pretty simple. We are going to go out and just try to pick up the result we need.
Goal.com: You have an eclectic blend on the squad, what’s the feel for this team in the playoffs?
Rogers: I like the energy of the playoffs; I think it brings a real excitement. That said, I think we should have a single table. It should just be one table, top to bottom. That’s the most natural, and I think that’d be a great change, but it’s an American thing for the playoffs.
Goal.com: But the Crew squad isn’t all American?
Rogers: For some of the other guys on the team, it’s strange for them to understand that after a season where you work so hard, win the title, and now you have to go into the playoffs – us Americans had to explain that to some of the guys. They get it now. It’s exciting, and we are all enjoying it now.
Goal.com: How does it feel to win the Supporter’s Shield? Do you think it’s as valued as the MLS Cup?
Rogers: It was really important for us to win it. As a player, and I don’t want to take anything away from the MLS Cup, but I feel like other teams that came into the postseason are here only because the caught fire, or however you want to call it. Look, it’s tough to win MLS Cup, but over the course of 30 games, a team with the most points, over the course of the whole season really means a lot. But that’s how MLS is, so you can’t really compare the two. It’s real strange.
Goal.com: As soon as the playoffs come around, the Support Shield becomes a memory. This postseason, it seems that Beckham-to-Milan stories have trumped even the MLS Cup playoffs. I hate to compound it, but, is that angering the players?
Rogers: I don’t really pay attention to that kind of stuff. He brings in fans, which is great, but I’m in Columbus, so I don’t see all of that stuff and all of those distractions. It’s not my job to worry about that. In Columbus, the fans don’t concern themselves with that. For [Los Angeles], unfortunately the team isn’t doing better but we don’t let that distract to us.
Goal.com: Columbus brought you along slowly in the first year.
Rogers: For me, the important thing is getting more responsibility and more confidence in knowing that I am going to be an integral part of the team for what we were going to do this season. That was really important for me. I needed to have that responsibility on the team where players looked to me to contribute on both ends of the field.
Goal.com: Your growth mirrors that of your team – an eclectic group, with different talents, styles, histories and abilities. How does Sigi Schmid bring it all together?
Rogers: With Sigi, he’s done a great job in plugging players into a system where the team can be successful and where one player isn’t bigger than the team. For us, and especially in MLS, you have to fight for each other and work for each other. When you look at all the teams that are successful in this league, you see guys that are just that. I think that’s what Sigi has stressed and it’s been successful.
Goal.com: Your success in that system has led to a recent call-up into the Senior National Team. But injury ruled you out for the Trinidad game. How did that feel?
Rogers: It’s such a great honor to play for your country, and since I’ve never played for the full team, I hope I have a chance to do that. For me, the injury sucked, but that’s part of the game. When I got called up, specifically, I was really,...not relieved, but pleased, because when you are called-up, it means someone appreciates the way you’ve been playing. Hopefully I’ll get another chance at that.
Goal.com: Is going back to Europe a goal of yours?
Rogers: Yeah, most definitely. I’d like to try again and see what happens. I’ve talked to my agent and I’ve talked to my coaches and we’re trying to work out timing.
Goal.com: Are those discussions imminent?
Rogers: Those conversations will happen in the off-season. No plans are set or anything, we’re just in discussion mode.
Goal.com: Who would you like to match-up against in the MLS Cup, if you guys make it?
Rogers: I would love to play against Chivas USA because Sacha Kjlestan is on the team, my buddy. I would also love to play against Houston because they are the champs, and I love to play against the best, and they are the best in the MLS.
Goal.com: How does the team feel ahead of the second leg?
Rogers: We’re a confident team; we know that, no matter what happens. We just need to find the energy to win the game. We wish Saturday was today, but we have to look forward to tomorrow for that.
Goal.com: Thanks for taking time out to speak with us, and best of luck tomorrow.
Rogers: No problem. Thanks a lot.
John Mantia’s Give and Go interviews appear regularly on Goal.com.
Perhaps no Crew player embodies that turnaround quite like Robbie Rogers. Sent packing from Dutch Eredivisie side Heerenveeen before last season, the US youth international was slowly incorporated into the floundering 2007 Crew, with the mind of a greater role in 2008. This season, Rogers maximized his lauded potential, and in the process enjoyed the fruits a starring role: the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the Beijing Olympics, and possibly an MLS Best XI selection.
On the eve of Saturday’s winner-takes-all home game against the Kansas City Wizards, Rogers spoke exclusively with Goal.com.
Goal.com: How would you rate the team’s performance in the first leg?
Rogers: I think we are a little disappointed by the way we played. We created chances, but we weren’t clean in the final third and that’s something we are usually pretty good about. Playing in Kansas City is tough. Their team is good, and it’s hard to play in front of their fans. But we are really excited to get in front of our own.
Goal.com: What’s the goal of the first leg in a home-and-home series? How do you approach a road game?
Rogers: We tried to keep it simple and have a very clean game and focus on the game. We really think of it as a normal game, like any other we want to win it. At halftime Sigi Schmid said to all of us to be smart, don’t pickup any yellow cards because of the return leg, and the conference finals. So there is a little bit of controlling the mentality and perspective. But for the most part, it’s just a fight – you go in, try to win.
Goal.com: Does the mentality differ for the home game?
Rogers: Coming home, we have to win. If we don’t win, we’re out. It’s pretty simple. We are going to go out and just try to pick up the result we need.
Goal.com: You have an eclectic blend on the squad, what’s the feel for this team in the playoffs?
Rogers: I like the energy of the playoffs; I think it brings a real excitement. That said, I think we should have a single table. It should just be one table, top to bottom. That’s the most natural, and I think that’d be a great change, but it’s an American thing for the playoffs.
Goal.com: But the Crew squad isn’t all American?
Rogers: For some of the other guys on the team, it’s strange for them to understand that after a season where you work so hard, win the title, and now you have to go into the playoffs – us Americans had to explain that to some of the guys. They get it now. It’s exciting, and we are all enjoying it now.
Goal.com: How does it feel to win the Supporter’s Shield? Do you think it’s as valued as the MLS Cup?
Rogers: It was really important for us to win it. As a player, and I don’t want to take anything away from the MLS Cup, but I feel like other teams that came into the postseason are here only because the caught fire, or however you want to call it. Look, it’s tough to win MLS Cup, but over the course of 30 games, a team with the most points, over the course of the whole season really means a lot. But that’s how MLS is, so you can’t really compare the two. It’s real strange.
Goal.com: As soon as the playoffs come around, the Support Shield becomes a memory. This postseason, it seems that Beckham-to-Milan stories have trumped even the MLS Cup playoffs. I hate to compound it, but, is that angering the players?
Rogers: I don’t really pay attention to that kind of stuff. He brings in fans, which is great, but I’m in Columbus, so I don’t see all of that stuff and all of those distractions. It’s not my job to worry about that. In Columbus, the fans don’t concern themselves with that. For [Los Angeles], unfortunately the team isn’t doing better but we don’t let that distract to us.
Goal.com: Columbus brought you along slowly in the first year.
Rogers: For me, the important thing is getting more responsibility and more confidence in knowing that I am going to be an integral part of the team for what we were going to do this season. That was really important for me. I needed to have that responsibility on the team where players looked to me to contribute on both ends of the field.
Goal.com: Your growth mirrors that of your team – an eclectic group, with different talents, styles, histories and abilities. How does Sigi Schmid bring it all together?
Rogers: With Sigi, he’s done a great job in plugging players into a system where the team can be successful and where one player isn’t bigger than the team. For us, and especially in MLS, you have to fight for each other and work for each other. When you look at all the teams that are successful in this league, you see guys that are just that. I think that’s what Sigi has stressed and it’s been successful.
Goal.com: Your success in that system has led to a recent call-up into the Senior National Team. But injury ruled you out for the Trinidad game. How did that feel?
Rogers: It’s such a great honor to play for your country, and since I’ve never played for the full team, I hope I have a chance to do that. For me, the injury sucked, but that’s part of the game. When I got called up, specifically, I was really,...not relieved, but pleased, because when you are called-up, it means someone appreciates the way you’ve been playing. Hopefully I’ll get another chance at that.
Goal.com: Is going back to Europe a goal of yours?
Rogers: Yeah, most definitely. I’d like to try again and see what happens. I’ve talked to my agent and I’ve talked to my coaches and we’re trying to work out timing.
Goal.com: Are those discussions imminent?
Rogers: Those conversations will happen in the off-season. No plans are set or anything, we’re just in discussion mode.
Goal.com: Who would you like to match-up against in the MLS Cup, if you guys make it?
Rogers: I would love to play against Chivas USA because Sacha Kjlestan is on the team, my buddy. I would also love to play against Houston because they are the champs, and I love to play against the best, and they are the best in the MLS.
Goal.com: How does the team feel ahead of the second leg?
Rogers: We’re a confident team; we know that, no matter what happens. We just need to find the energy to win the game. We wish Saturday was today, but we have to look forward to tomorrow for that.
Goal.com: Thanks for taking time out to speak with us, and best of luck tomorrow.
Rogers: No problem. Thanks a lot.
John Mantia’s Give and Go interviews appear regularly on Goal.com.
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