ASN: Rogers excited for USMNT alternative, needs to remain within the group’s future plans

After a breakout season in 2022 with Norway’s Rosenborg, Sam Rogers is hoping to make a optimistic impression on the USMNT January camp the place his first cap is looming. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta spoke with the Seattle native concerning the call-up, his 2022, and his future targets. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
January 25, 2023
7:50 AM

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AMONG THE MANY faces on the USMNT January camp who’s seeking to impress is Rosenborg central defender Sam Rogers who arrived in Los Angeles on the heels of a breakout season with Norway’s most traditionally highly effective membership. Whereas the call-up wasn’t terribly stunning given the yr Rogers had, it highlights how rapidly issues can change in soccer.

At the moment final yr early in 2022, Rogers had by no means performed at a better stage than the USL or the Norwegian second tier. He began his professional profession with the Tacoma Defiance, the USL affilate of the Seattle Sounders earlier than shifting to Oklahoma. However Rogers made essentially the most of his alternative after his 2021 transfer from the OKC Power to HamKam in Norway’s First Division. Upon arrival he helped anchor the group’s backline and led to them to a snug promotion. However when HamKam supervisor Kjetil Rekdal was employed by Rosenborg after the promotion, one among his first acts was to persuade the membership to amass Rogers by way of a switch. Rosenborg ultimately paid round a $1 Million for Rogers and it paid off.

Since then, it’s been all trying up for Rogers and Rosenborg.  

“Last season, the goal was to have to finish back in the top three to qualify for Europe, which we did,” Rogers mentioned. “After doing that, there was a lot of belief that we can do even better this year. We had a lot of new players last year. There has been learning curves and I think now that we’ve spent a whole season together and we get most team back in for a full pre-season, I think everyone is really optimistic.”

A part of what made Rogers stand out is that he scored six targets final season for Rosenborg en path to a third-place end. However in Norway final season, he was very aggressive within the again and in attempting to get the ball ahead into the assault. It’s one thing that the membership is hoping he continues subsequent yr and it’s one thing that made him stand out from different defenders within the league.

Rogers, 23, has successfully carved out a status for him inside Norway’s prime flight after simply his first season and it makes him one to observe in 2023.

“A lot of it is about consistency,” Rogers defined. “You’re not going to be the best player in every game. But if you’re playing consistently well where people know what to expect from you and they can count on you, that’s always been something that I’ve thought is important in a footballer. Last season I was able to show that I can be consistent, and I can also add different elements. I scored some goals last year, had some assists. Even as a defender, offering something more than just defending is a bonus. And to consistently be able to move the ball forward is also something that I think is important. I think now I just up my standard to an even higher level. I’ve done it so now I know it’s possible.”

Rogers discovered concerning the call-up earlier in January whereas he was with Rosenborg’s preseason camp. He was about to go to mattress after which acquired notification he was on the preliminary roster. A couple of days later, he was named to the ultimate roster.

Whereas many European golf equipment sometimes deny the discharge of gamers to friendlies that are performed exterior of FIFA worldwide dates, corresponding to these January video games, Rosenborg was glad that Rogers had this chance. Final yr when Rogers was in his breakout season, the membership even instructed Rogers they believed he ought to be within the image for the nationwide group.

Take a look at the purpose from Sam Rogers. Good expertise from a centerback pic.twitter.com/UlWFJIOcNT

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 13, 2022

Rogers will possible make his debut in both the pleasant towards Serbia or Colombia. The camp is being run by assistant coach Anthony Hudson who careworn that 30 gamers who’ve performed on the U.S. group’s annual January camp have gone on to play on the World Cup – together with prime gamers corresponding to Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey. Even underneath an interim supervisor, the chance is big. The final time the U.S. had an interim supervisor was in 2018 with Dave Sarachan and extra gamers from the 2022 World Cup group made their worldwide debut underneath Sarachan than another U.S. supervisor.

Rogers watched all of the U.S. video games on the World Cup and was impressed by the group’s basis and now needs to be a part of the following steps. Among the many group’s World Cup defenders Aaron Lengthy, Tim Ream, and Walker Zimmerman, all are both over 30 or will quickly flip 30. No different place on the U.S. group is ripe for as a lot turnover as central protection.

“I watched all the U.S. games for sure,” Rogers mentioned. “I think there’s a lot of good things to build from that group and the way the team plays. We didn’t win it, so there’s still improvements to make [laughs]… I’m hoping I can play well and put my name in there as maybe a possible improvement for the team. That would be my goal. My goal is to keep my name in the mix for future camps.”