Nathan Sturgis' outlook in the next cycle?

[Steele]

What is Sturgis' outlook for the USMNT in 2010.

Sturgis is so versatile, he played CB for Clemson University and the U-20 then shifted outside for the Galaxy and now has seem time as a DM under Yallop.

Being from Atlanta it is tough to follow his progress with the Galaxy, but I have been impressed with the little action that I have seen of him thus far.

What is everybodies thoughts on Sturgis?

For me personally, I would love to see the Nats featuring two players from my Tigers.

[swedust]

I'm not a regular Galaxy watcher, but as someone who always watches defenders/keepers closely when I watch a game, I have been impressed by his poise, and his two-footedness.

But predicting a player's ceiling is an inexact science, or at least beyond my wisdom. From where I sit, the question of pace comes up more than anything else for Sturgis.

[juventino3]

This kid has a great future with the USNT. Having watched him as a right back, left back, and dmid with the Galaxy, I would have to say that his best position is dmid. He still needs some work tactically, but he's quick, great on the ball, and makes good passes.

[Baysider]

From where I sit, the question of pace comes up more than anything else for Sturgis.


This is my big concern. For me, he's sort of a tweener. He's not really quick enough for an outside position but not really big or physical enough for an inside position. He compensates by doing a good job of anticipating the play and so he can beat the attacking player to the spot. But if the attacker gets the jump on him, Sturgis doesn't have "make up" speed.

It's still his first year so hard to tell how he will work out. For the defenders we drafted the year before, one (Ugo) took about a year to really look comfortable in the position and the other (Roberts) is just starting to look good now. Of course, neither of those guys had the international experience of Sturgis.

[Adam Zebrowski]

i'd agree sturgis has some flexibility, but i see dolo or wynne at right abck with spector at left back..

this leaves d-mid, although with the likes of feilhaber, bradley who knows if the next coach goes pure d-mid...

sturgis clearly isn't physcial, and the fifa emphasis on taking out needless physicality from the game helps a player like sturgis...

olympics in beijing quailfying will be a big test for him

[Steele]

The question I have about a player's versatility and ability to contribute on a teams such as the Nats is a bit comple:

Versatility seems like a plus because you can provide cover at many different spots, but at the same time if a player is always moving around to fill in for an injury or the position with the current need, the player risks becoming a jack-of-all trades, but a specailist at none? Not sure if this is true, just a theory.

I could see this happening to Sturgis. Especially with all the moves he has seen thus far with the Galaxy.

For my limited experiance, I think defensive midfield might be the fit. Pace is an issue, but that can be negated to some extent in this role. Plus, he is more than simply a destroyer type. He is not overly aggressive and seems to be fine in the distribution department. He also showed a creative side and offensive ability at Clemson scoring 5 goals and adding 6 assists in two season, while seeing a lot of time at CB (although this could be a product of outclassing 97% of his opponents in college).

[kyleprather]

I watch every Galaxy game and I dont see how Sturgis is not fast or quick enough, the guy is very quick, he's got great technical ability on the ball, poise and is a smart kid, I think 2008 Olympics should be a good testing ground for him in the central of the park though, yeah he's on the smallish side but he's also still young.

[IndividualEleven]

Love Sturgis' toughness on the ball and his on the ball skills. You don't see too many US players with both in abundance.

He apparently plays left, in central defense, and in central midfield. I'd like to see him settle in at left back for a Euro team.

Some mentioned Spector. Realistically he's going to play centrally.

[imasyko]

This is my big concern. For me, he's sort of a tweener. He's not really quick enough for an outside position but not really big or physical enough for an inside position. He compensates by doing a good job of anticipating the play and so he can beat the attacking player to the spot. But if the attacker gets the jump on him, Sturgis doesn't have "make up" speed.

It's still his first year so hard to tell how he will work out. For the defenders we drafted the year before, one (Ugo) took about a year to really look comfortable in the position and the other (Roberts) is just starting to look good now. Of course, neither of those guys had the international experience of Sturgis.

Cannavaro is 5'9"...so is Bouhlrrouz (sp?) the Dutchman just signed by chelsea. Size aint everything (or so she said)...

[Martin Fischer]

i'd agree sturgis has some flexibility, but i see dolo or wynne at right abck with spector at left back..
...

None of the guys Adam mentions have demonstrated themselves to be of a class that is beyond Sturgis' potential. So I don't see the competition as the problem as both positions appear to me to be wide open.

On the other hand, Sturgis' lack of pace is a problem outside and he has looked darn good at dmid. The olympics would be a good test how he compares to Bradley, Feilhaber, Szetela etc. I would not rule out that he could play central defender ala Canavaro in the future -- the Galaxy probably don't want to go with a rookie at that key position.

[voyager]

Ugo played in the middle as a rookie, didn't he? I don't follow the Galaxy much so I could be wrong.

[Baysider]

Ugo played in the middle as a rookie, didn't he? I don't follow the Galaxy much so I could be wrong.

Yes he did. For the first half of the season it was an adventure, but he improved significantly by the end of the year.

Sturgis is just coming off injury (that amazing German hernia surgury) and started on Saturday as a D-Mid in a two D-Mid system. He was very impressive in this game and IMO won himself a starting job.

Will this translate to the next level? I don't know. Again, speed is my concern, but I think I overvalue speed.

[Martin Fischer]

Ugo played in the middle as a rookie, didn't he? I don't follow the Galaxy much so I could be wrong.

True, though the fact that Ugo was significantly older than Sturgis as a rookie migh be relevant too.

[CDM76]

According to the Galaxy web site, Sturgis is 5' 10" and weighs 150. From the Galaxy games I've seen, that sounds about right. He's above average height, a bit slender, but he holds the ball well in traffic.

What I love about him is his composure. The kid just takes his time, reads what the defense is giving him and makes that next safe but dangerous touch. His patience may make him look slow but he seems to have a good burst (5-10 yds). Haven't seen him have to chase anyone down to it's hard to say what he can do over 30-40 yards.

He's also just turned 19 (born 7-6-87). He could easily grow another inch and put on another 20 pounds. He certainly hasn't developed his full pace.

I see a ton of potential and expect him to develop into a solid mid under Yallop. Certainly a potential MNTeamer.

[Galaxian]

Sturgis may not be the quickest , but neither is Mastro , and I think Mastro does a great job at D-mid for us . Sturgis has a lot of time to improve and become a better player , and hopefully get into the nats soon .

[kyleprather]

One of you guys pointed to the heigth of Cannavaro as a testament that you dont' need to be big to one of the best, true but you do have to be strong Cannavaro's legs are like tree trunks, same thing with Reyna, short but very strong legs that enable him to shed would be tacklers and hold the ball in the midfield.

[uclacarlos]

LA's most knowledgeable fans are in love w/ Sturgis, fwiw... I've only caught games online and haven't been able to focus well on him.

[MarioKempes]

One of you guys pointed to the heigth of Cannavaro as a testament that you dont' need to be big to one of the best, true but you do have to be strong Cannavaro's legs are like tree trunks, same thing with Reyna, short but very strong legs that enable him to shed would be tacklers and hold the ball in the midfield.

Yes, strength is very important for a soccer player at all positions. Core strength, legs, even arms.

[Geneva]

Sturgis has great anticipation, and his ball skills & confidence are quite unusual. He has very good vision & doesn't pass away too many balls, although it has happened. I have seen him lose some footraces at outside back, and he seems small for centerback, but he might fill out when he gets older.

I think his best chance for the USMNT would be at d-mid or central mid, and I hope Yallop continues to play him there for the Galaxy. He's got outstanding class on the ball, especially under pressure.

[Martin Fischer]

BTW, he was moved to central defense when LA's left back was injured. Nagamura came into the midfield and Ugo, not Sturgis, switched to left back.