Reader comments
Real Salt Lake: Seattle selects Sturgis

Unfortuanate | 12:20 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Seeing nate go is sad. We didnt get to see much of him here as he was chronically injured (which is the reason he was removed from the list at the last second most likely)
I hope he can find a way to stay healthy up in seattle... though playin on turf is not going to help his injury at all.
Best of luck to Nate, sad to see you go. Wish it would have been Dema instead of you.
Now, please RSL, lets find a good wing player and/or a true striker

Dumb. | 12:22 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

But I'm glad we still have Deuchar.

re: dumb | 12:24 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Dumb, that is, on Seattle's part. Apparently they don't realize they'll be playing on turf, which is where Sturgis picked up both of his injuries (RES and BMO Field)

Comments continue below

Joy | 12:31 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Glad they didn't pick the rest of the RSL guys.

While I think Sturgis has potential, he sure didn't provide RSL with much due to the injuries.

T-ravis | 12:42 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Couldn't we send Mathis along with him? It'll be a bonus for them. Who cares about the one player per team rule.

hey lemme ask you guys something | 12:46 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

You ever go to church and hear everyone saying "Hey, so how about that soccer match last night?!"
Every see people wandering around the grocery store wearing rsl gear on game day? Ever hear the news report one of their games as a "holy war" or "the biggest rivalry in Utah history"?
Answer: nope.
That's your clue that soccer doesn't matter in utah. It's nothing. Nil. Nobody except a few of you care.
Quit obsessing about it. It's going to be over before you know it, and RSL's going to get sold to another city dumb enough to think people care.
As for the stadium--I bet it'll make a great swap-meet site/flea market for years to come.

Allez RSL | 12:55 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Actually, Mr. Questions, the last time I was in the state someone *did* ask me at church how the soccer match was the night before.

Now, go argue with all the other Mensa candidates in one of the BYU-Utah threads. You guys are getting close to a consensus.

matwton | 12:57 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

ha ha ha.. love this comment.. especially since it's the same comment that's been heard for the last 3 years.. and the league and Real Salt Lake have only gotten stronger and a larger fan base.. so keep up the hatin.. it makes no difference how much you down-talk soccer..

three11stu | 12:58 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Seattle looks like they can make a decent team with who they selected with this draft. I can't wait to see the other moves from drafts and trades throughout the league.
This is going to be a competitive year this next year, but with all of the teams from the east playing in champions league or superliga (minus toronto) we should be able to make the playoffs again next year.

REPLY:12:46PM | 12:59 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Your a joke dude, get serious, leave this blog, your just hater, because you don't understand the game, it is the worlds most popular sport.

Horrace | 1:00 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Actually, we talk about soccer all the time in my ward. The playoffs were on everyones mind. You probably don't hear about soccer when you go to church because you don't talk to anybody under 60 years old.

Doug S | 1:02 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Wow, Allez. No trace of elitism in your comments.

What will you do if soccer *does* become a "mainstream" sport? What new obscure pasttime will you take up to remind yourself of your superiority over the unwashed masses?

disagree | 1:02 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I think Seattle made lousy picks. Look for Seattle to be on the bottom of the west next year.

This just in | 1:04 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

the questions man is a closet RSL fan just trying to cover up so he doenst get made fun of in high school next year...
Get a life kid, if you dont like it leave it. We could all start talking about how we hate baseball, football, or basketball but we dont cuz we have this thing called maturity... you should look into it

Allez RSL | 1:09 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Re: three11stu

I'm pretty sure that all expansion teams look pretty good on paper with a bunch of good-but-not-great players from around the league, but they always end up at the bottom of the table (ignoring the aberration that is Chicago's first year).

Seattle has the advantage with Ljundberg and Keller, but I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that SSFC will be competitive this next year.

Andrew | 1:20 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I was growing more convinced that Sturgis will never be healthy. He is too young to be getting injured so often and take so long to heal.

J | 1:20 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I dont understand all the haters who have to blog about how soccer is never going to last. If they dont like it why are they reading articles about it and why do they take the time to post, its not like someone is holding a gun to their head and saying you must read this. I for one can't stand baseball, thats why i never read those articles or worry about it. No ones forcing you to read these articles people, get a clue.

CMcAfee | 1:20 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Wow. You are so cool man! You sure told us soccer fans that your opinion is the only one that matters! To answer your questions: yes, yes, why would I want anything to be described as a "holy war"?, and isn't "the biggest rivalry in Utah history" synonymous with naming yourself employee of the month at your own buisness where you are the only employee? Quite the accomplishment.

Let me ask you something (since "lemme" is not a word). Do you know that the only reason American football is so popular in this country is because TV networks can play ten minutes of commercials for every three minutes of play? Your "fanaticism" is a product of corporate greed. But I can tell that thinking makes your brain hurt, so I will leave you alone.

I think that if Nate can stay healthy he will be a great pick for Seattle, but it is a bit of a gamble. I am glad they did not take Joy or Williams, and with Russell and Beckerman able to play D-mid I think we will be fine.

Seattle next season | 1:24 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

they will be like a colorado of this season i think. Hang around, not have great talent but some ok players...
Fail to make the playoffs is my prediction (but finish above LA)

sockernut | 1:29 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

wish we could've seen what sturgis is capable of but i think this move hurts RSL the least. We've got a pretty set midfield and since sturgis didnt play all year it cant be said that he's helped the team get to where it is. sturgis is unproven on an MLS team, he may have a great future or he may not. anyway, good luck in seattle nate!

RSL will be fine. | 1:37 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Nate had a lot of potential and I wish him will with the Sounders. We seem to have been doing well enough down the stretch without him.

The Mad Chadders | 1:47 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I'm glad they didn't take Mathis, or Deuchar, or Williams. Seattle enjoy your 3 games he plays in. We'll see if their fans keep going to the games like we did here, when they are the joke of the league

Ljuneberg = frustrated | 1:53 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Starting on an expansion team = He isn't going to be happy.

Playing on Turf = He isnt going to be happy.

Being older and slower = He isnt going to be happy.

I'd say he's in for a long season.

Re: Lemme | 1:59 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

You go to church? Whats wrong with you man? Football is played on sunday dummy... How is you you can see the only sport that matters when your at church? I wish I was a BYU or Utah fan so I could talk to people like you do...

Full90 | 2:23 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I can't understand why people keep bashing Mathis just because he doesn't work hard, tackle, close down, assist teammates or score goals. Can't these haters see how he telekinetically links together the inside and outside midfielders by playing in the quantum flux vortex between the lone forward and the midfield? Clearly these people don't understand the zen concept of inaction -- doing everything by doing nothing. These haters obviously haven't played soccer, or watched enough Star Trek.

Romls | 2:24 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I can't help wondering if RSL made the right decision protecting Rimando and not Sturgis. I have a feeling this may be a decision they regret down the road.

Holy War... | 2:37 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

doesnt exist its the Deseret First Duel. Get it right. There's even a plexiglass trophy to prove it. I bet soccer wishes it had lousy sponsers renaming century old rivalries.

learn about soccer | 3:04 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

very funny full90 but you obviously haven't played the game at a high level if you can't appreciate Mathis. he works harder than beckerman and johnson combined (two players I like); his leadership and tackling remind me of Roy Keene in his prime

Soccerman | 3:29 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Stop feeding the troll! It's not worth anyone's time. Ignoring idiots is the best route while they grovel in ignorance.

re full90 | 4:17 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

i agree with the prior response. mathis is a great player. rsl benefits from his presence more than you realize. why else would they bring him back even after all that hoopla that went on before? because the guy is a natural talent. he knows the game. you can't coach that. now if we could only get him back into full shape.

three11stu | 4:25 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

the holy war is the football game between byu and utah. the deseret first duel is a competition between byu and utah in the different sports that they play. the football game is worth 10 points, and i think the b-ball games are worth 6 a piece. every sport is included.

Horse | 5:36 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Well we are lucky to basically have our entire team back next year. Sturgis was more of a water boy than anything this year. I thought he was really good during those 10 minutes that he played, but it is too bad he has been injured for so long.

Mathis is good. He has good games and bad games just like everyone else on the team. I think he does get too much time though, when Findley, Deuchar, and Espindola could all use more time. Kreis will require everyone to train hard during the long break and Mathis will be better than ever for us when he is in shape.

With Williams, Morales, Johnson, Espindola, and Mathis we have a lot of creative players in the middle.

Love soccer | 7:01 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Well to spite some of you, i just got home from the store and i actually saw a fellow RSL Fan with his ReAL shirt on. thought you might like to know. And if you really want to see a real "Holy War" catch a game Between Real Madrid and Barcelona Ute BYU football rivalries are Fun but Is so Minute in comparison, with the two soccer teams.
I'm sad i never really got to see Sturgis play, uts unfortunate he couldn't get healthy. Next year looks promising for RSL, we have what it takes! Mathis is good for about 45 but then becomes lethargic and almost invisible during the second half, really i hope Kreis can see that, with a bench as deep as ours considering strikers.
Off season sucks!

RSL ULty fan | 7:09 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

RSL isn't done yet. I am sure they will be making some trades, but we will see. The core group is back, so that is awesome. Clint Mathis bashers, I really believe Mathis has been a difference maker even though he hasn't scored goals. He was out of shape too, so give him some time. Can't wait for next season!!!

georg | 7:17 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Anyone notice that the only site that gets soccer haters is this site? Anyone notice its the same twerp writing most if not all the comments?

All things considered I think losing Sturgis will prove to be less of a lose than if we had lost Kenny, Dema, or Andy.

Unlike some of the posts above I really don't see Mathis as a very valuable part of this team, he is old, has a big mouth and if we are waiting until he gets into shape that may be a long long long wait. I have followed his career and yes he is very talented but he has never been a hard worker, he has always been a slacker, and that probably will not change. He is getting all this playing time in
Salt Lake because of his relationship with his coach not because of his on field performance.

georg | 7:29 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Forgot a important point and that was how glad I am to see Ian Joy staying with RSL. I will be looking forward to the St. Pauli flag at future games. Still see 1860 moving up infront of Pauli "sorry Ian"

Stupid Guy Good???? | 9:06 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Lemme is good for soccer in America. Those people sit there and bash on soccer and how it will never amount to anything, well they just fuel our fire to make soccer work in America, they atleast have people talking about it and giving it exposure. Thank You LEMME, you added 10+ blogs that would not be here without you, including mine. Thanks for getting people to talk about soccer and excite them!!!

To georg | 9:42 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I don't think that you become a member of a World Cup team by being a "slacker".

RSL1 | 10:56 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Full90 that was a great comment on Mathis. It made me laugh. Mathis is not great and he did not get us into the playoffs. Movsisyan getting hot had more to do with it. However, Mathis is a good sub and adds depth to our team. He is much better than Sturgis or Kenny Cutler. I'm glad he is still with us, but he should be a 30 minute a game player.

We are going to be a great team next year

Juice Box Guy | 2:19 p.m. Nov. 27, 2008

I think we got off lucky in losing Sturgis. Too many injuries. I bet he will play like 8 gaems for Seattle before his glass hamstring breaks again. I think if RSL did not lose him in the expansion draft he would have made good trade bait. Seattle plays on turf and that means that Sturgis will probably be inured at least once the whole next season. I really question Seattle's choices. They had a lot of good talent out there like Wade Barrett (Houston), Abe Thompson (KC), O'Brien (SJ)and Davino and Pitchkolan (of Dallas). Looks like they are aiming to be at the bottom of the table already.

soccer war | 6:40 a.m. Nov. 28, 2008

In 1969 rioting at an international soccer match between el Salvador and Honduras actually escalated into a full-scale war.

Although the match was more a flashpoint than the direct cause of the conflict this is still the only recorded instance of sports match leading to a dispute on this scale.

Utes-BYU have nothing - nada, zilch - on real football! Real football is true passion; real football is pure politics!

Are you people kidding me!? | 3:27 p.m. Nov. 28, 2008

full90, georg, and other Mathis haters. Please see the comments on the other article "RSL caps busy day..." i posted the scoring and record difference when RSL didn't have Mathis vs the 9 games he started. 1 loss, our last game 1-0 that's it. Serioiusly do some research before pretending Clint didn't have any positive affects on the team. I can only imagine how good Mathis will be when he is in shape. Not to mention if you look at most championship teams there is always at least one older "mentor" type player. He is probably the most competative person on our team and I'd bet he'll be unbelievable next year. I think he'll have at least 10 goals and 7 assists. Plus I'll bet Yura will start to get it the more he is around Mathis. Don't underestimate Clint. He scored probably the most important US goal in our national history. Kinda hard to do that if you are a "slacker"

away, haters! | 10:55 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

i agree with Mathis supporters. someone compared Clint to Roy Keene in his prime, which i could agree with in terms of work rate but in terms of role played i would compare him to Zidane during his Juventus years; Mathis many not have gotten the fame Zidane has, but on the whole he's probably better with the ball at his feet than the Frenchman ever was. and Mathis makes alot of good things happen without running much or touching the ball. anybody who can't appreciate his role on the team needs to spend some time studying the game

now thats funny! | 2:14 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

i don't think you can really say you understand the game if your're claiming that cleetus is as good as Zidane

check out the numbers | 7:52 a.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Read the "RSL caps busy day" comments from a few days ago and check out the numbers this guy is talking about before judging Mathis. In games where Mathis starts, we score 0.2 goals per game more than in games where he doesn't start. That's huge! Plus our goal differential went up 0.1 percent in the games he started. Most importantly, when Mathis starts we win.

Go back and look at Maradona's first dozen games with Napoli and you'll see that, like Clint, he didn't rack up a single goal or assist, yet the team started to win as soon as he began to start. It's a valid comparison. Clint, as has been pointed out, scored the greatest goal in our nation's history, just as Maradona did for his country. And when Clint gets back to full fitness next year, even the Clint bashers will have to admit he's as good running at players with the ball as Maradona ever was.

Those of us who've studied the game for years can see instantly what Clint brings--something that might not be so obvious if you didn't know soccer was an adult sport until RSL came along.

clint for president | 3:54 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

and now clint is being compared to maradona, clint actually may be the best player in the history of the game. if you look at the best players of all time clint can do everything better. clint is perfect and anyone who says otherwise just doesnt understand the game. you just cant comprehend all the miraculous things that he does.

We Talk About It | 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

We talked about the MLS Cup, the expansion draft and of course RSL in church today. Of course, being a transplated RSL fan in Spokane had a little to do with the RSL topic. But, yeah, we did talk soccer in church. And, oh, by the way, no one even mentioned the BYU-Utah game or even the Apple Cup for that matter.

Just bought RSL jerseys for my boys for Christmas. The lady at the store thought I wanted Sounders Shirts. They'll be popular up here.

Only 2 and a half months until training starts for the 09 season when RSL pulls off the double, claiming the Supporters Shield and the MLS Cup.

Go RSL!

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