Luke Sassano Has Signed With Sporting KC

According to Robert Colosia, agent for Luke Sassano, Sassano has just signed with Sporting Kansas City. The news has also now been confirmed by Sporting Kansas City.

This was expected to happen within the week, as Sporting KC technical director/head coach Peter Vermes said earlier this week that it was "just a formailty" before he would officially be under contract. Sassano was selected by Los Angeles Galaxy in the second phase of December's re-entry draft from New York Red Bulls, then traded to Sporting KC for rights to defender Frankie Hejduk.

The signing of Sassano is fairly big at this point, given that currently the roster is a bit bare; especially in a couple areas that Sassano happens to play - defense and defensive midfield. Sassano can play holding mid, fulback on one side or the other and even centerback, which is the most glaring hole of all at present moment.

Sassano spent three seasons with the Red Bulls, where he was drafted 32nd overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. He appeared in 38 league games for the New York side and did not register a goal scored. In 2010, due to numerous injuries, he appeared in only three games. With any luck, he will have a bounce back year as a "utilityman" for SKC.

As of right now, Sassano would probably be a second choice selection behind Stephane Auvray at holding mid, Roger Espinoza at leftback, Michael Harrington at rightback and Shavar Thomas and Matt Besler at centerback. Having a guy on the bench come game day that can play multiple positions like that could be a real asset for Vermes, though.

One guy that can play about four spots. Now, let's fill in the rest of the roster with more "specialized" players and speed time up so that March 19 gets here a little sooner.