Galaxy Acquire Robbie Rogers, OC Native Who Came Out Before Brief Retirement

The Los Angeles Galaxy has acquired Robbie Rogers, a former U.S. national soccer team player who retired in February after disclosing he is gay.

The Major League Soccer team acquired the rights to Rogers in a trade with the Chicago Fire in exchange for midfielder Mike Magee, whose six goals are tied for second in the league.

Rogers, who grew up in Orange County, is expected to be cleared by the league to play against the Seattle Sounders FC Sunday night at Carson.

Rogers, 26, wrote on his website Feb. 23 that he is gay and that it was "time to step away" and "discover myself away from football."

The Fire acquired Rogers' MLS' rights in a Feb. 4 trade with the Columbus Crew, who he played for from 2007-2011.

Rogers told ESPN Radio earlier this month that he didn't want to play for Chicago, preferring to play close to home.

"I need to do it somewhere where I'm totally 100 percent comfortable," said Rogers, who was raised in Huntington Beach and played for Mater Dei High School.

Rogers played for the U.S. in the 2008 Olympic Games and 18 games with the U.S. national team between 2009-2011.

After leaving the Crew, Rogers, a winger, played for the English second- division team Leeds United and third-division Stevenage. He began training with the Galaxy April 30.

Rogers is also a co-owner of the menswear brand Halsey and a fashion contributor to Bello magazine.