CINCINNATI – Brett Faulkner has noticed how FC Cincinnati goalkeepers coach Jack Stern interacts with fans on social media, so he recently reached out on Twitter to ask for some resources to help his son learn more about positioning his defense on set pieces.



The 41-year-old from Northern Kentucky figured Stern might respond with recommendations for online videos to watch, and that would have been plenty satisfying.



Stern went above and beyond, though, and extended an invitation to Faulkner and his 12-year-old son, Brycen, to meet with him on the field at Nippert Stadium after Saturday’s United Soccer League regular-season home finale against Indy Eleven. Faulkner couldn’t believe it – and of course he accepted – but then again, Stern’s personal approach shouldn’t have been all that surprising.



FC Cincinnati’s connection with the fans is simply out of the ordinary. An event like Saturday’s “Fan...