Northwestbound
With a roster stocked full of young, promising pieces, RSL seemed bound to lose someone to Seattle today as expansion side Seattle Sounders FC made their expansion draft selections. Well, that player turned out to be midfielder Nathan Sturgis. The 21-year-old midfielder heads to Seattle having made eight MLS appearances for Real Salt Lake after being acquired, along with Robbie Findley, in the trade that send Chris Klein to the LA Galaxy midway through the 2007 season.
Injuries have plagued the young midfielder over the last couple years, limiting his availability, but the potential has always been there. A mainstay in the U.S. National Team’s Youth system, Nathan has always been a highly regarded prospect.
We’re certainly sad to see Nathan go. Not only was he a solid player, but he was a good guy. We wish him all the best…
26 Nov 2008 RSL HQ
Good luck in Seattle, Nate!
I heard on the radio this is actually the first player we’ve lost in an expansion draft. huh…
Maybe I should change the station. The only other expansion draft we could have lost a player was when San Jose joined the league (again.)
Anyway, it is nice to see we have enough depth now that other teams are taking us seriously.
Now here’s to hoping Sturgis doesn’t score on us the first time we play Seattle!
PERFECT! NOT A BIG LOSS, THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN MATHIS THOUGH!! STURGIS LIVES IN A GLASS CASE THOUGH SO WE WONT BE MISSING HIM…
SEATTLE HAS POTENTIAL TO BE GOOD TEAM , THEY HAVE SOME GOOD PLAYERS FROM TODAYS DRAFT AND LOOK FORWARD TO PLAYING THEM NEXT YEAR!
Best wishes Nat-…on and off the field.
You are a talented soccer player, and our family will continue to cheer for you as you travel forward in your professional journey.
~
Nathan was a good player, but he was never there for RSL and with his future national team call ups, how much would we have really had him here for? I don’t think it’s as big a loss to us Dema, Andy, and Ian would’ve been. Maybe Sigi can make something reliable out of him. Good luck Sounders!
I would have like to see him play more. But, out of everyone they could have taken I am kind of glad they took him. I like that, as of right now, we have our entire team returning.
seattle is Beautiful! i have lived there and man its wonderful! but the rain is going to suck for them!!!
Good choice for Seattle but he knows the doctor more than his own mom. He is a good player that could pose a threat to us but I doubt he plays next year and not because of his talent but because he is injury stricken.
Ryan- we actually did lose Jason Kreis to Toronto, and traded within the same day to get him back. So technically Nate’s not the first. Unless, of course you mean actually not coming back to play for us.
and Sweeny- I think I would have preferred they take David Horst, or Brennen Tennile before Sturgis. Better yet, the best would have been Nik Besango!!!! ( I hope I spelled their names right?)
Nice to have such a deep bench, huh?! Still plenty of solid players left. ‘09 will be our best season yet…let’s sell out each game! Do your duty, bring an extra 5-10 friends to each game. Let’s get this city totally hooked on good soccer (in a sweet venue).
On the topic of Seattle…
They have a pretty sweet section on their stadium website (http://tickets.soundersfc.com) called “Search For Your Perfect Section Match.” Check it out. And oh, RSLFO, you might consider using a similar program to appease the whining parents and old folks when they’re buying their seats. Look into it.
How can you all say this is the best case scenario? There’s a reason this is one of the most recognized talents in the youth program throughout the entire USA. Nate is an unbelievable talent and will be sorely missed! He’s 21 years old - His career is just getting started. If he only makes 7 appearances in the next 2 years than you all can call me an idiot, but i think we will be back on here next year wishing we would’ve kept him. He’s got more potential and is much younger than those preceding him at D-mid. Watch out for this kid with Seattle and the NATS… would’ve much rather protected him than Rimando - Get Seitz between the pipes
Bye bye Nate!
We loved having him on the team, but he’s got a bright future ahead of him…and i mean really, bright–have you seen Seattle’s jerseys?
Anyway, we’ll still cheer for you, Sturg! Best of luck!
RSL FAN IN CALIfORNIA- If he was so great why haven’t we seen him play? He has been constantly injured. And as a young person, that can’t be good. What is going to happen when he gets older? More injuries? We haven’t even seen him play, so there’s no way to tell if he was any good or not. I don’t buy the hype around a player until they produce results.
I was really surprised to see Nathan selected, just because of his injury history. He is a classy player, and it is too bad we have to lose him. Luckily we are still very deep in the d-mid position.
It’s too bad that Sturgis is leaving, but compared to losing Williams or Joy, I’m okay with it. Good luck Nate, hopefully Seattle’s good for your health.
How long did you have to look to find a picture of Sturgis in an RSL uniform to post here?