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USL 20 Under 20 – No. 5: Sam Rogers

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 07/24/17, 2:59PM EDT

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Seattle Sounders FC 2 defender has burst onto scene in 2017

When the 2017 USL season began, Sam Rogers had yet to play a minute for Seattle Sounders FC 2. After half-a-season that’s seen him become a mainstay on the club’s back line and turn professional with the organization – eschewing a college career at Villanova – it’s safe to say the center back is turning heads both within the Sounders organization, and beyond.

"Sam has been one of the most consistent players for S2 this season," S2 Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson said when Rogers turned pro with the club in June. "He has made a very good transition from defensive midfielder with the U18s to center back at S2. He is a hard worker with a very good frame and quick instincts. We are very confident in his potential to continue to develop with the club."

Called into U.S. U18 National Team training camp earlier this year, the 18-year-old has potential eligibility for the next cycle of U20 World Cup Qualifying, where he could follow in the footsteps of fellow 2017 20 Under 20 selection Auston Trusty (Bethlehem Steel FC). After being named to the USSF Development Academy’s Western Conference Best XI earlier this month, the ceiling for the 6-foot-3 center back appears to be very high.

No. 5 – Sam Rogers, Seattle Sounders FC 2


Photo courtesy Bob Frid / Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2

- 1,350 minutes leads U20 players in USL in 2017

- 62 clearances, 30 interceptions, 16 tackles won in 2017 USL season

- Scored first professional goal against San Antonio FC on April 25 at Starfire Stadium

- Signed professional contract with Sounders FC 2 on June 13

- Made Sounders FC debut June 13 in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

- 2017 USSF Development Academy Western Conference Best XI

TopDrawerSoccer.com Scouting Report
At the time, during the 2017 MLS preseason, nobody outside the Northwest had much of a concept of who Sam Rogers was. But Rogers dazzled in several stints with the first team during the preseason at left back, casually raiding opposition territory while showing good defensive positional instincts. That earned the youngster a USL contract this summer, and he can now embark on his professional career in earnest. Rogers’ position makes him doubly intriguing, but his full-package skill set means he’ll almost certainly stick.

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