Gianluca Busio
Venezia's Gianluca Busio kicks the ball during the Serie A soccer match between Venezia and Spezia, at the Pier Luigi Penzo stadium in Venice, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Italian soccer team Venezia is back in the top division for the first time since 2002. And it has tapped Major League Soccer to recruit young Americans in its bid to stay afloat in Serie A. Nineteen-year-old Gianluca Busio arrived in Venice from Sporting Kansas City and 20-year-old Tanner Tessmann from FC Dallas. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)
Spezia Calcio vs Venezia FC 9/19/2021

Sep. 24, 2021 12:39 PM EDT

Venezia's Tanner Tessmann, right, challenges for the ball with AC Milan's Franck Kessie during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Venezia at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. Italian soccer team Venezia is back in the top division for the first time since 2002. And it has tapped Major League Soccer to recruit young Americans in its bid to stay afloat in Serie A. Nineteen-year-old Gianluca Busio arrived in Venice from Sporting Kansas City and 20-year-old Tanner Tessmann from FC Dallas. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Venezia FC vs AC Milan 9/22/2021

Sep. 24, 2021 12:39 PM EDT

Venezia's Gianluca Busio kicks the ball during the Serie A soccer match between Venezia and Spezia, at the Pier Luigi Penzo stadium in Venice, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Italian soccer team Venezia is back in the top division for the first time since 2002. And it has tapped Major League Soccer to recruit young Americans in its bid to stay afloat in Serie A. Nineteen-year-old Gianluca Busio arrived in Venice from Sporting Kansas City and 20-year-old Tanner Tessmann from FC Dallas. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)
Venezia makes waves with American imports to Italian league

By Ken Maguire Sep. 24, 2021 12:38 PM EDT