Robbie Rogers met with representatives of the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, team officials confirmedand Rogers also tweeted favorably about the get-together, despite recent comments he's made that, if he returns to pro soccer, he does not want to play for the Fire, which own his rights.
"Great meeting with the owner and president of Chicago today. Genuine and amazing people," Rogers tweeted Wednesday.
On Monday, meanwhile, Rogers tweeted, "No disrespect to the Fire or any1 in Chicago. I'm against playing there because I need to be near my fam at this time. Please respect that."
Rogers, who turns 26 on Sunday, announced in February that he is gay and, surprisingly, retiring from the sport. He played for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer (MLS) from 2007-2011, and then took his game overseas to play internationally.
Rogers practiced with the MLS' Los Angeles Galaxy on May 1 as a special guest of Galaxy coach Bruce Arena. To play for Los Angeles, the team would have to acquire his rights from Chicago.
Dan Lobring, senior director of communications for the Fire, said Thursday that the meeting had been planned, but had limited information about what was discussed. Lobring said the meeting was held in the Los Angeles area with team owner Andrew Hauptman, president of soccer operations Javier Leon, Rogers and his agent.
Leon and Hauptman were unavailable for comment Thursday morning.
The Fire will have its second Pride Initiative Game on Saturday night, Sept. 28, at Toyota Park in Bridgeview when Chicago plays host to Montreal. Details on the pride initiative are now in the planning phases, Lobring said.
Lobring also confirmed that the Fire again will be involved in the annual Gay Pride Parade "in some capacity." He said specifics are "in the planning mode." As for Fire players appearing in the Parade, Lobring said, "I cannot confirm that yet."
News of the meeting with Rogers comes just a day after Lobring announced that the Fire were backing a Chicago City Council resolution that calls on major sports commissioners to support LGBT male athletes.
"MLS is one of the most diverse leagues in professional sports, Chicago Fire in particular," said Lobring, testifying before the city's Committee on Human Relations.
The LGBT sports resolution was adopted May 8.