Last week, MLSsoccer.com senior producer Andrew Wiebe tabbed Sporting Kansas City as a darkhorse candidate to win the MLS is Back Tournament, which will begin July 8 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
In a similar vein, MLSsoccer.com's Greg Seltzer has labeled one of Sporting's brightest young talents as a breakout candidate for next month's tournament.
Gianluca Busio turned 18 years old on May 28 but has already established himself as a key piece in Sporting's midfield. He made 26 appearances in all competitions last year and could be poised for an increased role this season, especially with Sporting midfielder Felipe Gutierrez set to miss the rest of 2020 with a knee injury.
"Heading into the tournament, Sporting Kansas City boss Peter Vermes has to find cover for injured playmaker Felipe Gutierrez," Seltzer writes. "It may now be time for the 18-year-old's rep to explode."
In addition to featuring regularly for Sporting last season, Busio became the youngest MLS player to score in consecutive league matches during the spring of 2019. He came off the bench in each of Sporting's first two matches this year—an impressive 3-1 road win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Feb. 29 and a 4-0 dismantling of the Houston Dynamo on March 7 at Children's Mercy Park.
Busio and Sporting are likely to learn their MLS is Back Tournament Group D schedule this week, having drawn Western Conference rivals Real Salt Lake, Minnesota United FC and the Colorado Rapids.
