Heading into the 2019 season, the upper end of Sporting Kansas City’s midfield was largely set in stone thanks to the veteran presences of Ilie Sanchez, Roger Espinoza and Felipe Gutierrez.
As for how the pieces stacked up beyond them? That’s where matters were less clear.
Step in Gianluca Busio, who has quickly become one of Peter Vermes’ top options off the bench. Fixture congestion has certainly played a role, but Busio has appeared in every Sporting KC match since March 7, with the exception being their March 14 game against Panamanian club Independiente the Concacaf Champions League.