NEW YORK, N. Yeezy 350 V2 GID Glow Pas Cher .Y. - Los Angeles Galaxy soccer star Robbie Rogers wants some company, now that hes the last man standing as an openly gay athlete in a U.S. professional league.Jason Collins recently retired from the NBA, and Michael Sam is without an NFL team. That leaves Rogers, the first openly gay player in Major League Soccer, hoping for a bigger fraternity.To be honest, I thought when I came out and Jason and Michael, I thought thered be a chain reaction, Rogers said in a recent phone interview with The Associated Press. Its been a lot slower. I guess that just reminds me how big a problem it is in sports culture with homophobia. They dont feel comfortable.Rogers chronicles his struggles with soccer, faith and family acceptance in the memoir Coming Out To Play, released Tuesday by Penguin Books. Its a collaborative effort with Eric Marcus, who co-wrote Greg Louganis book, and recollections from his mother and oldest sister. Rogers discusses growing up in Southern California, playing soccer in U.S. and European leagues and dealing with his sexuality.On Sunday, he helped the Galaxy defeat Seattle 1-0 in the opener of the Western Conference finals. Hes been a key defender this season after briefly retiring from the sport last year at age 25.Rogers recently signed a contract extension, and the Galaxy players have embraced him. But locker rooms notoriously werent a safe environment to talk about sexuality, except for teammates bragging about their heterosexual conquests.Like every locker room Id been in for years now, fag and gay were tossed around like an all-purpose putdown, he wrote. It cut deeper into an already raw wound.So Rogers stifled his feelings, occasionally dating women to please his questioning teammates and family. After playing five seasons for the Columbus Crew in MLS, with stints in the Netherlands and England, he realized his happiness required living an authentic life. So he simultaneously came out and retired in a blog post in February 2013, thinking he couldnt be an openly gay man and a pro soccer player.But an outpouring of support, conversations with Los Angeles star Landon Donovan and an invitation from Galaxy coach Bruce Arena to train with the team caused a change of heart.Now the Galaxy are vying for a spot in the MLS final, Rogers is in a steady relationship and hoping more pro sports leagues provide education about diversity. That way, a teammate might think twice before throwing around gay slurs in the locker room.COMFORT ZONE: There are still no openly gay players in the NFL, NHL or Major League Baseball.There are a number of gay men playing professional sports, just not out, Rogers told the AP. In the end, its really about guys coming out and changing the atmosphere by being in it. You definitely need to create the environment first where guys feel comfortable.Baseball hired Billy Bean, who came out after his MLB career, to talk to all 30 teams about inclusion. Rogers says teams need to educate players on racism, sexism and homophobia. The leagues should have a person there guys can go talk to, honestly. Talk about mental health or depression or guys wanting to come out.EARLY YEARS: Rogers was a prodigy growing up, playing organized soccer at 4. As a teenager, he competed on the Orange County Blue Star team. Jurgen Klinsmann, now the coach of the U.S. national team, would occasionally stop by. His favourite players were European stars Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane. After helping Maryland win the 2005 NCAA title as a freshman, Rogers turned pro and went to the Netherlands. Playing for Leeds United in 2012, he sustained a concussion 12 minutes into his debut, colliding with an opponent while going for a header. An ankle injury intensified his depression and isolation, and he eventually returned to the U.S.FAMILY/FAITH: Rogers heard negative comments about gay people at home, at church, in school and in the locker room. He considers his family socially and politically conservative and very Catholic. Rogers describes his family as loving and close, yet there were harsh comments from his father about not being a fairy and negative comments from his mother about gay celebrities and gay marriage.Growing up, I heard and saw plenty that made me think that being gay was bad, defective and sinful, Rogers wrote.He came out to his family, despite the fear of rejection, before posting his blog. Now he says his parents, three sisters and younger brother are his biggest supporters. Yeezy Boost 350 v2 Yeezreel Pas Cher . 1 player in the world. So Duval gutted it out Thursday at the Byron Nelson Championship despite the pain from a muscle issue in his right elbow, a day after his stepson had to drive him because he couldnt even use that arm. Yeezy 350 V2 Hyperspace Pas Cher . Two weeks after suffering a concussion, Foles will start in place of Michael Vick, who is out for the second time this season with a hamstring injury. BARCELONA, Spain -- Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid reclaim sole possession of the Spanish league on Sunday, scoring one goal and setting up another in a dominant 3-0 victory over 10-man Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu. Ronaldo recorded his league-leading 24th goal of the season to get Madrid rolling in the 11th minute. The Ballon dOr winner then passed for Marcelo to score in the 49th and ensure Madrid extended its undefeated streak in all competitions to 29 straight matches. With Madrid firmly in control, the game turned testy with several bookings until David Navarro saw a direct red for tackling Ronaldo from behind in the 64th. Ronaldo went close to getting another goal when he hit the crossbar after Levante defender Nikos Karabelas had already turning in an own goal in the 82nd. Madrids win came a week after Ronaldo scored to salvage a draw at Atletico Madrid, and it lifted Carlo Ancelottis side three points clear of its crosstown rivals at the top of the table. Barcelona was left four points adrift of the pacesetters following Saturdays stunning 1-0 defeat at Valladolid. "Its an important moment because everything is turning out well and there is a good atmosphere surrounding the team," said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. "We have to continue forward. We have a small advantage in the league but we cant think about anything other than the next game. Its risky not to." Madrids placid outing was tarnished when fullback Dani Carvajal collapsed with an apparent leg injury and had to been carried off in the 90th, leaving the hosts with 10 men for stoppage time. Athletic Bilbao drew 1-1 at Valencia to increase its hold on fourth place and the last Champions League berth. Sevilla routed Almeria 3-1 on the road to earn its third consecutive victory, while Espanyol also eased to a 3-1 home win over Elche. Levante was without its two first-choice midfielders in Papakouly Diop and Simao Mate, but it arrived on an eight-round unbeaten run, largely thanks to the outstanding play of goalkeeper Keylor Navas. And Navas did welll to get a glove on Ronaldos volley to turn back the matchs first goal-bound shot in the sixth minute. Yeezy 350 v2 Promo. There was no denying Ronaldo a second time, however. The Portugal forward rose up to meet Angel Di Marias corner kick and thump the ball beyond Navas, who got a touch on the ball but not enough to keep it out of his net. "Ronaldos goal was a blow," said Levante coach Joaquin Caparros. "But if he hadnt scored then, Madrid would have scored another way." Ronaldo passed for Marcelo to put the result beyond doubt when he drew in two defenders and slid the ball for the fullback to use a smart change of foot to open up an angle and curl his shot home. Madrid would have enjoyed an even bigger win except for Navas, who denied Karim Benzema on four occasions, including one feline leap to push Benzemas header off this post in first-half injury time. Navarros sending off inflamed Caparros. The veteran coach stormed out of the dugout and engaged in a brief shouting match with some Madrid supporters in the stands. Madrid pressed for another goal, with Benzema heading the ball off the woodwork again in the 72nd before Navas bettered him twice more. But the third goal eventually fell thanks to Karabelas flubbed clearance of a cross by Marcelo. After a short delay due to a power outage that had left Mestalla stadium in the dark, Valencia struck first through Pablo Alcacers goal in the 23rd. But Aritz Aduriz levelled in the 53rd with a penalty kick after Sofiane Feghouli fouled Ander Herrera in the area as Bilbao inched seven points clear of fifth-place Villarreal. Sevillas Carlos Bacca, Daniel Carrico and Kevin Gameiro all scored before Aleix Vidal took Almerias consolation goal. Espanyol forward Simao Sabrosa crossed from set pieces for David Lopez and Diego Colotto to score. Luis "Pizzi" Afonsos deflected shot made it 3-0 before Espanyol fullback Juan Fuentes netted an own goal in the 88th. Sevilla remained in seventh place, with Valencia, Espanyol and Levante all in a pack at five points behind. ' ' '
NEW YORK, N. Yeezy 350 V2 GID Glow Pas Cher .Y. - Los Angeles Galaxy soccer star Robbie Rogers wants some company, now that hes the last man standing as an openly gay athlete in a U.S. professional league.Jason Collins recently retired from the NBA, and Michael Sam is without an NFL team. That leaves Rogers, the first openly gay player in Major League Soccer, hoping for a bigger fraternity.To be honest, I thought when I came out and Jason and Michael, I thought thered be a chain reaction, Rogers said in a recent phone interview with The Associated Press. Its been a lot slower. I guess that just reminds me how big a problem it is in sports culture with homophobia. They dont feel comfortable.Rogers chronicles his struggles with soccer, faith and family acceptance in the memoir Coming Out To Play, released Tuesday by Penguin Books. Its a collaborative effort with Eric Marcus, who co-wrote Greg Louganis book, and recollections from his mother and oldest sister. Rogers discusses growing up in Southern California, playing soccer in U.S. and European leagues and dealing with his sexuality.On Sunday, he helped the Galaxy defeat Seattle 1-0 in the opener of the Western Conference finals. Hes been a key defender this season after briefly retiring from the sport last year at age 25.Rogers recently signed a contract extension, and the Galaxy players have embraced him. But locker rooms notoriously werent a safe environment to talk about sexuality, except for teammates bragging about their heterosexual conquests.Like every locker room Id been in for years now, fag and gay were tossed around like an all-purpose putdown, he wrote. It cut deeper into an already raw wound.So Rogers stifled his feelings, occasionally dating women to please his questioning teammates and family. After playing five seasons for the Columbus Crew in MLS, with stints in the Netherlands and England, he realized his happiness required living an authentic life. So he simultaneously came out and retired in a blog post in February 2013, thinking he couldnt be an openly gay man and a pro soccer player.But an outpouring of support, conversations with Los Angeles star Landon Donovan and an invitation from Galaxy coach Bruce Arena to train with the team caused a change of heart.Now the Galaxy are vying for a spot in the MLS final, Rogers is in a steady relationship and hoping more pro sports leagues provide education about diversity. That way, a teammate might think twice before throwing around gay slurs in the locker room.COMFORT ZONE: There are still no openly gay players in the NFL, NHL or Major League Baseball.There are a number of gay men playing professional sports, just not out, Rogers told the AP. In the end, its really about guys coming out and changing the atmosphere by being in it. You definitely need to create the environment first where guys feel comfortable.Baseball hired Billy Bean, who came out after his MLB career, to talk to all 30 teams about inclusion. Rogers says teams need to educate players on racism, sexism and homophobia. The leagues should have a person there guys can go talk to, honestly. Talk about mental health or depression or guys wanting to come out.EARLY YEARS: Rogers was a prodigy growing up, playing organized soccer at 4. As a teenager, he competed on the Orange County Blue Star team. Jurgen Klinsmann, now the coach of the U.S. national team, would occasionally stop by. His favourite players were European stars Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane. After helping Maryland win the 2005 NCAA title as a freshman, Rogers turned pro and went to the Netherlands. Playing for Leeds United in 2012, he sustained a concussion 12 minutes into his debut, colliding with an opponent while going for a header. An ankle injury intensified his depression and isolation, and he eventually returned to the U.S.FAMILY/FAITH: Rogers heard negative comments about gay people at home, at church, in school and in the locker room. He considers his family socially and politically conservative and very Catholic. Rogers describes his family as loving and close, yet there were harsh comments from his father about not being a fairy and negative comments from his mother about gay celebrities and gay marriage.Growing up, I heard and saw plenty that made me think that being gay was bad, defective and sinful, Rogers wrote.He came out to his family, despite the fear of rejection, before posting his blog. Now he says his parents, three sisters and younger brother are his biggest supporters. Yeezy Boost 350 v2 Yeezreel Pas Cher . 1 player in the world. So Duval gutted it out Thursday at the Byron Nelson Championship despite the pain from a muscle issue in his right elbow, a day after his stepson had to drive him because he couldnt even use that arm. Yeezy 350 V2 Hyperspace Pas Cher . Two weeks after suffering a concussion, Foles will start in place of Michael Vick, who is out for the second time this season with a hamstring injury. BARCELONA, Spain -- Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid reclaim sole possession of the Spanish league on Sunday, scoring one goal and setting up another in a dominant 3-0 victory over 10-man Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu. Ronaldo recorded his league-leading 24th goal of the season to get Madrid rolling in the 11th minute. The Ballon dOr winner then passed for Marcelo to score in the 49th and ensure Madrid extended its undefeated streak in all competitions to 29 straight matches. With Madrid firmly in control, the game turned testy with several bookings until David Navarro saw a direct red for tackling Ronaldo from behind in the 64th. Ronaldo went close to getting another goal when he hit the crossbar after Levante defender Nikos Karabelas had already turning in an own goal in the 82nd. Madrids win came a week after Ronaldo scored to salvage a draw at Atletico Madrid, and it lifted Carlo Ancelottis side three points clear of its crosstown rivals at the top of the table. Barcelona was left four points adrift of the pacesetters following Saturdays stunning 1-0 defeat at Valladolid. "Its an important moment because everything is turning out well and there is a good atmosphere surrounding the team," said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. "We have to continue forward. We have a small advantage in the league but we cant think about anything other than the next game. Its risky not to." Madrids placid outing was tarnished when fullback Dani Carvajal collapsed with an apparent leg injury and had to been carried off in the 90th, leaving the hosts with 10 men for stoppage time. Athletic Bilbao drew 1-1 at Valencia to increase its hold on fourth place and the last Champions League berth. Sevilla routed Almeria 3-1 on the road to earn its third consecutive victory, while Espanyol also eased to a 3-1 home win over Elche. Levante was without its two first-choice midfielders in Papakouly Diop and Simao Mate, but it arrived on an eight-round unbeaten run, largely thanks to the outstanding play of goalkeeper Keylor Navas. And Navas did welll to get a glove on Ronaldos volley to turn back the matchs first goal-bound shot in the sixth minute. Yeezy 350 v2 Promo. There was no denying Ronaldo a second time, however. The Portugal forward rose up to meet Angel Di Marias corner kick and thump the ball beyond Navas, who got a touch on the ball but not enough to keep it out of his net. "Ronaldos goal was a blow," said Levante coach Joaquin Caparros. "But if he hadnt scored then, Madrid would have scored another way." Ronaldo passed for Marcelo to put the result beyond doubt when he drew in two defenders and slid the ball for the fullback to use a smart change of foot to open up an angle and curl his shot home. Madrid would have enjoyed an even bigger win except for Navas, who denied Karim Benzema on four occasions, including one feline leap to push Benzemas header off this post in first-half injury time. Navarros sending off inflamed Caparros. The veteran coach stormed out of the dugout and engaged in a brief shouting match with some Madrid supporters in the stands. Madrid pressed for another goal, with Benzema heading the ball off the woodwork again in the 72nd before Navas bettered him twice more. But the third goal eventually fell thanks to Karabelas flubbed clearance of a cross by Marcelo. After a short delay due to a power outage that had left Mestalla stadium in the dark, Valencia struck first through Pablo Alcacers goal in the 23rd. But Aritz Aduriz levelled in the 53rd with a penalty kick after Sofiane Feghouli fouled Ander Herrera in the area as Bilbao inched seven points clear of fifth-place Villarreal. Sevillas Carlos Bacca, Daniel Carrico and Kevin Gameiro all scored before Aleix Vidal took Almerias consolation goal. Espanyol forward Simao Sabrosa crossed from set pieces for David Lopez and Diego Colotto to score. Luis "Pizzi" Afonsos deflected shot made it 3-0 before Espanyol fullback Juan Fuentes netted an own goal in the 88th. Sevilla remained in seventh place, with Valencia, Espanyol and Levante all in a pack at five points behind. ' ' '