( CNN ) -- Robbie Rogers became the first openly gay male athlete to play in a pro American sporting match Sunday when he took the field for Major League Soccer 's Los Angeles Galaxy during a rout of the Seattle Sounders . Not to be overlooked in the landmark moment is Rogers ' prescience . In remarks to ESPN before the game , he said , `` I 'm hoping I can come on and it 's 4-0 and I can just enjoy myself . '' Which is exactly what happened . With 13 minutes remaining in the game , Rogers came in as a substitute for midfielder Juninho with the Galaxy up by four goals . Emphatic applause erupted from the stands at the Home Depot Center . Before the game , Los Angeles native Jason Collins , a pro basketball player who announced last month that he was gay , tweeted Rogers to say good luck . Rogers said after the game that the experience was `` perfect , really perfect . '' `` The first training session the Galaxy ever had on the Home Depot Center pitch , I was here training , '' he said . `` I 've kind of been on this huge journey to kind of figure out my life , and now I 'm back here , I think kind of where I 'm supposed to be . '' Bleacher Report : Twitter reacts . Rogers was introduced as the newest member of the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday , making him the first openly gay male athlete in Major League Soccer and ending his brief retirement . The Galaxy signed Rogers to a multiyear contract after acquiring him from the Chicago Fire , which held his rights , in exchange for midfielder Mike Magee . Rogers , a former winger for the U.S. national team , had retired from soccer in February at age 25 , announcing then that he is gay . However , he still had the passion for the game . He trained with the Galaxy for about a month before making the comeback official . `` After I finally got in here , everything was completely normal , as it should be , '' Rogers said at his introductory news conference . `` Getting back on the pitch was amazing . '' Opinion : Lust in the locker room -- get over it ? But even though he still enjoys the game , deciding to come back was not easy for Rogers , who said he was afraid to share the secret about his sexual orientation for 25 years . `` I kept my secret because I thought I could n't be both a soccer player and a gay athlete , '' Rogers said . `` I figured it out that it 's not true , but I felt that way . So I was afraid to put myself back into a situation where I felt like I was kind of an outcast or just different than people . '' In his career , Rogers also has played for MLS club Columbus Crew from 2007 to 2011 , winning the MLS Cup in 2008 . He also briefly played for English club Leeds United . Los Angeles head coach Bruce Arena believes that Rogers will make an impact on the field with his play . `` We 've been searching for the last year or two for a player that has the skills to be a flank player , play wide and add a little speed to our club , take on players and a good crosser off the ball with both of his feet , '' Arena said . `` He offers qualities that we 've been looking for , so we 're hopeful that in time , Robbie will demonstrate the kind of qualities that he has previously in this league . '' Rogers is n't the only trailblazer for male gay athletes in American professional sports . Twelve-year NBA veteran Collins announced he was gay , but he has not played a game since he made the announcement . He is currently a free agent . Opinion : When celebrities share secrets , good things happen .
February : Galaxy provide historic debut as Robbie Rogers takes field for 13 minutes in rout . Rogers became the first openly gay male player to compete in Major League Soccer . Former winger for U.S. national team came out in February as he announced retirement . NBA player Jason Collins has not played since he came out last month .