Luke Sassano

Luke Sassano

Personal information
Full name	Luke Stephan Sassano
Date of birth	October 14, 1985 (1985-10-14)
Place of birth	Orinda, California, United States
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position	Defender, Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Sporting Kansas City
Number	32
Youth career
2004–2007	California Golden Bears
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2006	San Francisco Seals	12	(2)
2007	San Jose Frogs	13	(0)
2008–2010	New York Red Bulls	38	(0)
2011–	Sporting Kansas City	9	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of August 26, 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Luke Sassano (born October 14, 1985 in Orinda, California) is an American soccer player who currently plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer. Sassano has played at various positions including as a holding midfielder, right back and central defender.

Career

Youth and College

Sassano began his career at Lamorinda Soccer Club. He attended Miramonte High School in Orinda, California, and played college soccer at the University of California, Berkeley. He was an All Pac-10 Honorable Mention in 2005, a Pac-10 All-Academic Honorable Mention in 2007, and featured in a total of 64 games scoring four goals and registering 19 assists during his four-year career for the Golden Bears. During his college years Sassano also played for USL Premier Development League sides San Francisco Seals and San Jose Frogs.

Professional

Sassano was drafted with the 32nd pick of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by New York Red Bulls and made his debut on 5 April 2008 in a home game against Columbus Crew. He was a valuable member of the squad in 2008 as his versatility enabled him to receive significant playing time in his rookie campaign. With the injury to starting defensive midfielder Seth Stammler, Sassano was inserted into the starting lineup for the clubs first round MLS Playoff series against the defending champion Houston Dynamo. Sassano's solid defensive play helped the club upset heavily favored Houston 4-1 on aggregate, helping the club reach the Western Conference Final.

During his second season, Sassano featured in 17 regular season games playing primarily as a defensive midfielder. Following the 2009 Major League Soccer season, Sassano went on a three week training stint with sister club FC Red Bull Salzburg.

After the 2010 MLS season New York declined Sassano's contract option and Sassano elected to participate in the 2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft. On December 15, 2010 Sassano was selected by Los Angeles Galaxy in Stage 2 of the Re-Entry draft and subsequently traded to Sporting Kansas City. He signed with Sporting KC on January 12, 2011. On June 12, 2011 he scored his first Major League Soccer goal in a 4-1 victory over FC Dallas. He re-signed with SKC on January 30, 2012.

Career statistics

Updated 31 October 2008

All-time MLS club performance

Club	Season	Major League Soccer		US Open Cup		MLS Cup		CONCACAF		Total
		App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals
New York Red Bulls	2008	18	0	1	0	4	0	-	-	23	0
	2009	17	0	2	0	-	-			19	0
	2010	3	0	4	0	-	-	-	-	7	0
Sporting Kansas City	2011	9	1	3	0					12	1
Club Total		47	1	10	0	4	0	-	-	61	1

Honors

New York Red Bulls

• Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship (1): 2008

See also

• List of current MLS players

External links

• MLS player profile
• Cal Bears bio