TThe command bus is a command boat for the American midfielder Gianluca Busio and his Venice teammates as they play at home in one of the most picturesque cities in Italy. “We’re going to a small port and a (water) taxi is waiting for us. This is the only way to get there other than on foot, ”said 19-year-old Busio. So they arrived at the Penzo Stadium in Venice last Sunday for the team’s first home game in Kit since 2002
The city hasn’t changed much since then, but the team has changed. After winning the Italian top division and celebrating the boat parade on the famous canals, the club turned to an increasingly reliable source – the Major League Soccer – to recruit young Americans. in his quest to stay afloat in Serie A.
Together with Busio, the team bought Tanner tesmann and brought Jack de Vries on loan. Only a handful of Americans have played in Serie A, so Venice’s moves represent a direct wave for Red, White and Blue.
Busio started on Wednesday and Tessmann came on as a substitute in a 2-0 loss to Venice against Milan and the midfielder. Weston McKenny lost the distance to Juventus in a 3: 2 win over La Spezia. Together with Roma, the right-back Brian ReynoldsSerie A has never had so many US players in a single season.
McKenny’s success as well Christian pulisich (Chelsea) Gio Reina (Borussia Dortmund) and Tyler adams (Leipzig) helped pave the way. “It makes life a lot easier for every young American … especially for those of the MLS,” said Busio.
Venezia’s Gianluca Busio (right) challenges the ball with Milan’s Alessandro Florenzi.
It probably also helps that Venice belongs to the Americans, although this has become its own trend in Italian football. The team invested in analytics and also imported players from Nigeria, Norway, Iceland and Israel. Young Americans know they are no longer in Kansas – or, in Busio’s case, Sporting Kansas City. He says he needs to “get stronger” and improve his defense. According to media reports, Venice paid A base fee of $ 6 million, which can grow to over $ 10 million.…
Tessmann joined the team from Dallas FC, which produced high-profile academy players, with a fee of approximately $ 4 million. Among Dallas alumni McKenny and Reynolds, A 20-year-old right-back who fought Jose Mourinho for a few minutes at Roma.
Busio became the main midfielder of the Venezia coach Paolo Zanetti… De Vries, 19, plays for Venice’s second team on loan from the Philadelphia Union.
Tessmann, who turned 20 on Friday, made three appearances on the bench. The 6’3 ” midfielder wants to improve his off-ball moves and defensive stance to earn his jersey – stylish and commercially available – on match days.
National team
“The players know where they will be and everything is smoother.” said Tessmann. “MLS thinks more, slower, so here you just need to know what you want to do and try to get it done as quickly as possible.” Of course, both are looking to restock their national teams, and the squad for the next round of World Cup qualifiers is expected next week.
“As for the national team,” Tessmann said of his goals, “just try to get into the qualifying game but I can’t do that if I’m not playing, so the first step is to just try to set aside the minutes and help my team. I get better every week, every day, just keep working hard, stay mentally focused. “
Harry Kane He may dream of becoming a kicker in American football, but Tessmann had a scholarship offer for Clemson. Clemson’s coach Dabo SweeneyTessmann’s godfather offered him a scholarship after seeing the Alabama native score a 64-yard goal in 2019 at Clemson’s summer camp. He came unprepared as a kicker.
“I had to learn a lot in the two-day camp,” Tessmann said. “After camp, Dabo thought,”We can provide you with a scholarship… “Then I agreed, but obviously went the other way and signed with Dallas as a pro.”
Venezia’s Tanner Tessmann (left) competes for the ball with Milan’s Ismael Bennasser.
Born to Italian and American mother in North Carolina, Busio signed with Kansas City at age 15, around the time one of his idols, Andrea Pirlo, retired as a player. “I grew up watching all Serie A and Italy games with my father,” he said. “Pirlo will always stand out for me with his style of play, calm and calm, hairstyle and everything else. That was what attracted me, and now even more. “
Playmaker Busio made his first pass for Venice 2-1 losing to La Spezia last Sunday… He averages 11.2 km (7 miles) per game – seventh in the league. A tiring first year abroad can take its toll, but it can do worse than in Venice, where the most important decision, in addition to choosing restaurants and tourist attractions, may be the way to get there – walking over pedestrian bridges or using a water taxi.
“This is an unreal city, I am really lucky to live here,” said Tessmann. “I’m the water taxi guy. It’s so relaxing. That’s why you go to Venice, you know, to get on the boat. “