Something happened to John Stertzer in the months that he spent on the shelf while recovering from a fractured leg suffered during the 2014 season. The second-year Real Salt Lake midfielder already had his rookie season cut short by a shoulder injury, but this injury proved different in giving him a chance for introspection.
During that time, he realized something that has changed his perspective on his career and offered him a new approach as he prepares to come back for the 2015 season.
“I missed the game. I was isolated on the couch and I couldn’t do anything. I realized how much I really do love this game,” Stertzer said from Casa Grande, Arizona, where RSL is in the midst of training camp. “It’s been my whole life and when it was taken away from me, it was tough. This is like a family out here with these guys and I couldn’t wait to get out to training camp with them.”
Stertzer made just two substitute appearances in his rookie campaign before a shoulder injury left him sidelined the rest of the season. However, he was still very active during his time away from the field. This time around, he had earned three starts and nine appearances before fracturing his leg in an August friendly.
It came at a difficult time for Stertzer. While Kyle Beckerman was away at the World Cup with the U.S. National Team, Stertzer made three starts in his place. His confidence as a professional had never been higher. Then suddenly it was taken out from under him.
“It’s a huge confidence boost when you’re playing with the first team. You want to get on the ball and you want to help the team. A lot of guys on this team can play, so my confidence was high when I was out there. And they make you look good too,” he said. “It was really tough not only physically, but mentally. I was playing well and getting opportunities and I really felt like I was improving. Then you’re out there trying to impress the coaches and something goes wrong and you’re out again.”
Unlike during his prior shoulder injury, Stertzer was unable to work out while waiting for his leg to heal.
His family was in Salt Lake City with him and while that eased his burden, the first month away from the game was difficult. He spent much of his time confined to the couch, wondering if his career was over. Instead, he saw the support of his family and his teammates and it struck him that the soccer field was where he belonged.
“Guys on the team were great. It was just tough mentally to have to deal with this second injury. You’re going to have to come out and prove yourself again,” Stertzer said.
Now he is vying for playing time in his third training camp with Real Salt Lake and with the evolution of the roster, he knows that there is playing time to be had. He has a renewed energy and focus and it is showing during preseason in Casa Grande, Arizona.
“We lost a few guys that were key players in our midfield the last few years. I definitely see this as an opportunity to take advantage of those open spots,” he said. “For me, I just need to stay healthy. Two years in the league and I’ve had two major injuries. You lose a lot of confidence and momentum, so I think this year my main focus is, of course to fight for those open spots, but take care of my body so I can play my best.”
