After becoming a free agent at the end of the 2015 season, midfielder Nathan Sturgis set his eyes on Seattle. Having played for the club in 2009 and 2010, the veteran moved among MLS teams over the last five years but knew he wanted to end up back in the Emerald City.
"I enjoyed the time I was here," Sturgis said on Saturday after the team's training session at Starfire Sports in Tukwila. "My wife is also from here, so it's good to be back and near family."
Sturgis was officially named to the squad's roster on February 21 and brought a level of experience that Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid felt would be useful as the team prepares for its eighth MLS campaign. "He has two good feet, hits a great ball and is a very good passer," said Schmid. "He is also a good guy in the locker room who gives us a bit of of a veteran presence coming off the bench in the midfield."
Plenty of things have remained the same in that locker room, according to Sturgis, although there are many new faces that have joined the team since his time here. "There are still two or three guys who were here when I was here," said Sturgis, noting that most of the team's staff is still in place.
"I really enjoyed my experience here and was treated very well. From the organizational perspective - fans, team, city - everything is great here," Sturgis said. "It was very attractive to try to get back here."
Although the team has an established starting XI, Sturgis said he's ready to make a difference whenever he's called upon this year.
"For me, it's about getting fit, being ready and whenever I have a chance to play and finding a way to contribute."
