[VIDEO PICK] Robbie Rogers spent his entire life demonstrating he's a great soccer player and on Friday the 25-year-old proved he's also a brave man, with thousands of friends all over the world.

The staunch support Rogers has received since revealing via twitter that he’s gay may have surprised even the most optimistic among us. A truly laudable reaction by young men thrust into a position to comment on a larger social issue simply because, like Rogers, they’re great American soccer players.

The soccer community at large has also offered its support, including FIFA President Sepp Blatter, while Soccer America’s sentiments on Rogers’ announcement, and possible retirement, were captured in a pair of tweets by two USMNT elders:

Eddie Pope: "Brave men like you will make it so that one day there's no need for an announcement. That day can't arrive soon enough."

Carlos Bocanegra: "proud of u buddy. Hope u only retire of ur over soccer and want to pursue other interests."

Here now, highlights of a great soccer player, a man we hope will be scoring on a goalie near you very soon ...



Rogers scores against Mexico in Jurgen Klinsmann’s debut as U.S. coach …