Not content with summer 2012 signings already made, Gary Smith used his MLS know-how to strengthen further with the arrival of Robbie Rogers. The winger came to us on loan from Championship side Leeds United; making his name before hand at Columbus Crew during his four-year spell at the Ohio club. In coming to Boro’, the player provided the option of featuring out wide or up front as a second striker.

With Smith opting to use a 4-2-3-1 formation early on in the 2012-3 campaign, signing Rogers made sense; a valuable and flexible option. It also provided him with a chance to make a name for himself in England, with opportunities at Elland Road restricted.

A fully-fledged USA international at the time of his arrival, Rogers had graduate through the U20 and U23 teams to get there. Although he did not make the cut for the 2010 World Cup squad, the winger was included on the 30-man preliminary squad list; making a sub appearance in a pre-tournament friendly against the Czech Republic.