Sturgis happy back as starting midfielder

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Real Salt Lake midfielder Nathan Sturgis is back in the mix after a very, very frustrating last two months.

Sturgis was in RSL's starting lineup for the second straight game Saturday night following a stretch in which he missed 10 matches because of a deep calf contusion.

"It was weird, and frustrating. When I hurt it I didn't think it was too bad, I thought it just got knocked and would be sore for a couple days and then go away," Sturgis said. "It got worse for about a week and then it took forever to go away."

Sturgis was acquired by Real Salt Lake from the Los Angeles Galaxy in early June, and after finishing up his commitment with the U.S. team at the Under-20 World Cup he joined his new club in late July. He quickly became a regular, starting three matches before going down the injury.

At the time RSL was utilizing a 4-4-2 formation with Sturgis as right midfield. While he was recuperating coach Jason Kreis shifted things around to a 4-3-3 formation, and Sturgis admits he isn't quite sure where he fits in yet despite starting in a more defensive-midfield role Saturday night in Colorado.

Like most of his teammates, Sturgis said he can't wait to get a fresh start in 2008.

"It will be nice to come in and be with the team for preseason instead of coming in halfway through the season," Sturgis said.

ROUND OF APPLAUSE: During his 5 1/2 seasons with Colorado, Kyle Beckerman evolved into a fan favorite with his don't-mess-with-me attitude and relentless work rate. Even though he was wearing the visiting colors Saturday night he was still greeted with a warm reception by the Dick's Sporting Goods Park patrons.

Five seconds into the match he was yellow-carded for a hard foul on former teammate Jose Cancela.

"It was a foul, yeah, but whatever. I guess I'm a marked man," Beckerman said.

The player he was traded for, Mehdi Ballouchy, was on the bench for Colorado's must-win match. That's a very puzzling coaching decision according to Beckerman.

"I feel bad for the Colorado fans. You make a trade like that and you don't use him, it seems kind of strange," Beckerman said. "Colorado fans have to take it, but I know Salt Lake fans are happy."

COLOR ANALYST DEBUT: Jamie Watson wasn't a part of RSL's 18-man game-day roster, but that didn't keep him from contributing. The 21-year-old midfielder made his color-analyst debut for KALL 700's broadcast of the final match of the regular season.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com