New York Red Bulls in January 2011. He made his MLS debut two months later, in a goalless draw with the Columbus Crew. The following month, Rodgers scored his first two goals and assisted strike-partner Thierry Henry in a 3–0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. For this feat he was named as the MLS 'player of the week'. Rodgers told reporters that "this is the happiest I've been in football." He scored nine goals in 23 league games, as head coach Hans Backe tended to select Rodgers ahead of USA international Juan Agudelo as Henry's strike partner. This was despite Rodgers missing two months of the campaign with plantar fasciitis. His "feisty nature" led him to become a fan's favourite at the Red Bull Arena. Lillestrøm On 30 March 2012, the New York Red Bulls had to end their contract with Rodgers as he was unable to secure a visa to play in the United States, and the same day he signed a contract with Norwegian Tippeligaen club Lillestrøm SK lasting till the end of the 2012 season. He scored four minutes into his debut two days later, in a 2–2 draw with Rosenborg at the Åråsen Stadion. However, after failing to cement his place in the first team, Rodgers and Lillestrøm decided to part ways during the summer break of Tippeligaen. Portsmouth On 16 August 2012, Portsmouth signed Rodgers, and nine other players, on a one-month contract. Five days later, he scored for the club in a 2–2 draw with Colchester United, and also set up a goal for Jordan Obita. He scored his first goal at Fratton Park on 4 September, in a 2–2 draw with AFC Bournemouth in the League Trophy, before converting the winning penalty in the resulting shoot-out. Five days later, Rodgers scored a 25-yard free kick in a 3–0 win over Crawley Town. Rodgers suffered an injury on his left thigh at the end of September, ruling him out action for three weeks. Return to Shrewsbury Town On 9 November, he returned to the club where he started his career, Shrewsbury Town, on loan, with the move set to become permanent in the January transfer window. On returning to the New Meadow, Rodgers said that: "People do say 'don't ever go back', but what's the worst that can happen?" After the move was made permanent in January, Rodgers said that he hoped to