Caleb Stanko

Caleb Stanko (born July 26, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder.

Caleb Stanko

Stanko with FC Cincinnati in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Caleb Stanko[1]
Date of birth	(1993-07-26) July 26, 1993 (age 32)[1]
Place of birth	Holly, Michigan, United States
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s)	Defensive midfielder Center back
Youth career
0000–2011	Vardar SC
2011–2013	SC Freiburg
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2019	SC Freiburg II	71	(3)
2013–2019	SC Freiburg	11	(0)
2016–2017	→ FC Vaduz (loan)	26	(0)
2019–2021	FC Cincinnati	57	(0)
2022	PAS Giannina	20	(0)
2022	Asteras Tripolis	10	(1)
2023–2024	Lamia	36	(0)
International career‡
2013	United States U20	8	(0)
2016	United States	1	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of May 15, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals as of September 6, 2016

Early life

Stanko started playing soccer with the local U.S. Soccer Development Academy club Vardar SC. Won U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Championship in 2010.

Club career

Caleb Stanko with FC Cincinnati on April 7, 2019

SC Freiburg

In 2011, Stanko moved to the German side SC Freiburg, and began playing for its second team. From 2013, he started training with the first team and was benched for several matches before debuting in August 2015 in a German Cup match against Barmbek-Uhlenhorst.^[2] In November 2015, he made his league debut for Freiburg in a 2. Bundesliga match against Paderborn 07.^[3] Stanko had five 2. Bundesliga appearances for the season, helping Freiburg to Bundesliga promotion.

Loan to FC Vaduz

Stanko was loaned by Freiburg to Liechtenstein-based FC Vaduz in the Swiss Super League for the 2016–2017 season, making 26 appearances.

FC Cincinnati

On January 23, 2019, Stanko moved back to the United States to sign with Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati.^[4] Following the 2021 season, Cincinnati declined their contract option on Stanko.^[5]

PAS Giannina

On January 5, 2022, Stanko signed a contract with Super League Greece club PAS Giannina.^[6]

International career

Stanko played at the 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship for the United States, who finished as runners-up. Later that year, he also played at the 2013 Toulon Tournament for the U.S., and then captained the U.S. during their opening match against Spain at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.^[7]

Stanko received his first call-up to the United States men's national team for a May 22, 2016 friendly against Puerto Rico.^[8] On September 6, 2016, he made his full USMNT debut in a World Cup qualifying match against Trinidad & Tobago.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played November 15, 2020^[9]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
SC Freiburg II	2011–12	Regionalliga Südwest	1	0	—		—		1	0
	2012–13		17	0	—		—		17	0
	2013–14		32	3	—		—		32	3
	2014–15		6	0	—		—		6	0
	2015–16		13	0	—		—		13	0
	2017–18		1	0	—		—		1	0
	2018–19		1	0	—		—		1	0
	Total		71	3	—		0	0	71	3
SC Freiburg	2015–16	2. Bundesliga	5	0	1	0	—		6	0
	2017–18	Bundesliga	6	0	1	0	0	0	7	0
	Total		11	0	2	0	0	0	13	0
FC Vaduz (loan)	2016–17	Swiss Super League	26	0	0	0	—		26	0
FC Cincinnati	2019	Major League Soccer	23	0	2	0	—		25	0
	2020		13	0	—		1[a]	0	14	0
	Total		36	0	2	0	1	0	39	0
Career total			144	3	4	0	1	0	149	3

1. Appearance(s) in MLS is Back Tournament

Honors

FC Vaduz

• Liechtenstein Football Cup: 2016–17