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Sturgis signs new contract with Rapids

NathanSturgisColoradoRapids1 (USATodaySports)

By DAN KARELL

A career season has resulted in a new contract for Nathan Sturgis.

The Colorado Rapids announced on Wednesday that the 26-year-old Sturgis has signed a new deal to remain with the club next season, after his current contract was set to expire in December. The midfielder set a career-high in games played (23 starts in 25 appearances) and goals (four) as the Rapids made a surprise run into the MLS Cup playoffs, falling to the Seattle Sounders in the knockout round.

“We were pleased with Nathan’s effort on both the defensive and attacking sides of the ball, and he made us a better team this season,” said Rapids head coach Oscar Pareja in a statement released by the club. “He was solid defensively playing in front of our back four, and also made intelligent runs into the box. We’re excited that he will return as we prepare our roster for next year.”

Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Rapids acquired the versatile midfielder and defender during the last offseason in a trade with the Houston Dynamo, with Sturgis and allocation money moving to Colorado while forward Omar Cummings was shipped to Houston.

Since being drafted with the 12th selection in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, Sturgis has bounced around with the LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, Sounders, Toronto FC, the Dynamo, and now the Rapids.

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What do you think of this news? Glad to see Sturgis back? Do you see him starting next season?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

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  2. A great pickup for a guy labled as a journeyman and a disappointment at his previous clubs. For whatever reason, Sturgis fit in percertly with the Rapids personnel and was quite the unsung hero in many matches. He became that perfect player to help bridge the gap between the defense and attack. Sturgis took the pressure off of midfield and became one of the first names on the team sheet every week. I love that managed to score some important goals in crucial matches. I was definitely ho-hum about his trade to the Rapids but he won me over. He’s going to continue to be an important player in the young Rapids side for years to come.

    Reply
    • As a Dynamo fan I’m glad to see him find long term home. I was excited when Houston brought him on, hoping they could be the ones to rehab a former GA product, but he never really shined in the few chances he had.

      Glad the Rapids like having him around.

      Reply
  3. I’m glad to see him back, and, yes, he and Thomas will be the pair in front of the back line again. The Rapids are going to be a team to be reckoned with in 2014.

    Reply

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