FC Cincinnati technical director Luke Sassano was well aware of the reaction on social media last week when the expansion club acquired Caleb Stanko from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg: another defensive midfielder?! Stanko (pictured above) joined a Cincinnati squad that already included veteran defensive midfielders Victor Ulloa, Fatai Alashe and Allan Cruz, as well as former Swiss Super League midfielder Leonardo Bertone, who played in both a defensive and box-to-box midfielder role with BSC Young Boys during the past eight seasons. Additionally, FCC used a second-round SuperDraft pick on former Notre Dame defensive midfielder Tommy McCabe, and he is competing for a roster spot this preseason.



Meanwhile, fans are still waiting for a flashy attacker to join the club, but Sassano’s response to their chatter is simple: “We’re not done building yet.” The club, he said, is still looking to strengthen their attacking midfield and winger positions. For...