Gianluca Busio just wants to make an impact. Whether that\u2019s on the soccer field, or in his community, it\u2019s what he strives for. In 2020, the 18-year-old finally found his way to a consistent impact on the field, but not without a bumpy start.<\/p>\n
Busio was given the chance to start Sporting KC\u2019s MLS is Back Quarterfinal matchup against the Philadelphia Union. That matchup wasn\u2019t billed as a must-see matchup because of marquee names in MLS, but because two of the league\u2019s brightest youth prospects were facing off against each other.<\/p>\n
The talk in the buildup<\/a> was more so about the scouts from which European teams were going to be keeping an eye on the match to see Busio and Brendan Aaronson face off. Aaronson put in a Man of the Match performance in the Union’s 3-1 win<\/a>. Gianluca Busio was substituted at half-time. Busio was kicking himself for that match too.<\/p>\n \u201cComing off quarantine, I didn\u2019t really push myself enough to be ready for the tournament,\u201d Busio told Last Word on Soccer<\/em>. \u201cI don\u2019t blame anyone but myself. I took that to heart.\u201d<\/p>\n Busio could have blamed it on the difficulties the stoppage in play brought about both mentally and physically. While he acknowledged that it certainly could\u2019ve played a part, he refused to let himself get out of the blame for it.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going to make excuses,\u201d Busio said. \u201cIt was me that was out there playing, and I didn\u2019t play well. So, whenever the season was going to start again, I was going to prepare. After the tournament, we had a month or so of a break before the season started again. That month was just me working towards proving everyone, and myself, that I can do this.\u201d<\/p>\n The absence of Sporting\u2019s lone defensive midfielder, Ilie Sanchez, who was taking care of his family in Spain<\/a>, opened up a spot in the midfield for Busio. While nowhere near his normal position it was a shot, which is what Busio wanted. He was determined more than ever to make his mark.<\/p>\n \u201cComing off a not-so-good MLS is Back Tournament, staying on the field was big for me,” Busio said. \u201cI didn\u2019t know if I was going to get that opportunity for a little while.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued, \u201cMy mindset was simply, \u2018I don\u2019t care where I play, I\u2019m going out there and proving something.\u2019 That really helped me playing the six. It made me more disciplined and taught me more things about myself playing that position. So later in the season when I started playing further up in the attack, that foundation, that change of scenery at the six really helped me with everything.\u201d<\/p>\n Busio filled in admirably for Sanchez, putting in a couple of Man of the Match type performances. When Sanchez returned to full fitness, he ended the season starting multiple games as the attacking midfielder. He became the youngest player in MLS history to score and assist in a playoff match when he scored the “thought-to-be” winner just before injury time.<\/p>\n The trials of the summer ultimately produced a young man that was making an impact on the field. But other events throughout the summer also spurred on his inspiration to make an impact off the field.<\/p>\n As many teams were gearing up to go to the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando, protests broke out across the country in response to the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Sporting KC, like many teams, took the opportunity to have some very open, and difficult conversations as a squad about racism that the players have experienced, and what the team\u2019s role is going to be in this movement. Busio was awakened hearing the stories of some of his teammate\u2019s experiences while coming to grips with some of his own.<\/p>\n \u201cYou shake somebody\u2019s hand, and act very polite, and talk very smooth and clean, people are always like, \u2018Oh wow, you talk white,\u2019 and they act surprised because it\u2019s coming from a Black man,\u201d Busio said.<\/p>\n Being a part of the Black Players for Change demonstration on the opening night of the MLS is Back Tournament marked a powerful moment for Busio, as he recognized the role and platform that he has to help push for change.<\/p>\n \u201cThe last year was probably one of the most eye-opening years for me,\u201d Busio said. \u201cBeing young and Black, and seeing all that was going on, that really made me want to motivate people and help inspire the younger generation, who don\u2019t really understand it. They don\u2019t have much to say about it. And I know, because at one time that was me. So, it\u2019s important to make it not only easier for them but to talk to them about it. I really started to realize it this year, and it made me want to really try to work towards change, even if I only have a small part in it.\u201d<\/p>\n Playing in Europe is inevitable for Busio. Some of the largest clubs in Italy have been keeping tabs on the midfielder. A move to Italy, where he holds a passport from, would also put Busio in the hotbed for racist abuse towards players in Europe. That doesn\u2019t deter him though.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sounds bad, but I know at some point I\u2019ll have to deal with it, and that\u2019s what we\u2019re trying to change,\u201d Busio said. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to change it so you don\u2019t have to deal with it, and hopefully, if I eventually go [to Europe] I can be a part of that change. It\u2019s bad I even have to talk about it, but I\u2019m not going to shy away from it and let it ruin an opportunity. I\u2019m going to try to bring it to light and really make a change.\u201d<\/p>\n Ready to make an impact on and off the field, Busio is about to embark on his most important season yet. Barcelona<\/a>, Bayern Munich, Club Brugge<\/a>, Juventus, Liverpool<\/a>, Fiorentina, Manchester United and Inter Milan<\/a> all have been linked or rumored to have inquired or are \u201ckeeping tabs\u201d on the midfielder. Sporting KC handed him the number 10 kit. With the importance that comes with that number and the European move inching closer,\u00a0 he wants to make an even bigger impact in 2021.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst for the team, we want to finish first in the West again, which is always the main goal for the regular season,\u201d Busio said. \u201cFor me, I enjoy scoring goals and getting assists so I definitely want to get into the double digits for goals and assists, even both. That\u2019s one thing I\u2019m working towards, is getting on the scoresheet a lot this year.\u201d<\/p>\n Main Photo Credit:<\/p>\nGianluca Busio, Defensive Midfielder?<\/h3>\n
An impact off the field<\/h3>\n