Striving for greatness! USMNT midfielder Gianluca Busio makes Olympic roster spot a ‘huge priority’

Speaking to American Soccer Now, the midfielder revealed that he believes his current form with Venezia - and his partnership with fellow U.S. international Tanner Tessman - could put them both in a position to be on the roster for the Paris Olympics.

The Venice-based club are second place in Serie B, and the American duo have anchored the midfield the entire campaign. However, Busio himself is primarily focused on promotion before he turns his attention to the Summer, a time where he believes there will be 'no offseason' as he shoots for a roster spot.

“The team is a good group,” Busio said of the U-23 USMNT roster, led by Marko Mitrovic. “We have good young players in MLS, and in Europe. It's pretty cool because we have guys in very different situations. Some guys who are pushing to get to Europe, some guys who are just starting in MLS, stuff like that. And it's just cool to see the different experiences [and] the different aspirations. Everybody has the fire. You can tell it's a really talented group. Everybody is showing it at some level. This is going to be really special group together.”

The 21-year-old added that the Olympics, he believes, are a dream for any young athlete, and with them slowly closing in, it's hard to keep them out of the back of his mind.

“A lot of Americans, especially athletes, grew up watching Olympics, not just soccer,” Busio said. “I was watching every sport there. Once I heard we qualified to through the U-20s, I was already locked in. I wanted to try to push for a spot on the team. Now that it's coming closer and closer - it's in the back of my head. My main priority now is in Venice right now. But as soon as the season is done, it's not really offseason. It's preparing for the Olympics because that is a goal of mine and something that I really want to play in. It’s a huge priority.”

With only 18 players available on the entire roster, there will be some tough cuts in the center of the pitch for many of the young players in the pool. With the likes of Aidan Morris, Joshua Atencio, Tessman, Yunus Musah, Rokas Pukstas and Benja Cremaschi all competing for what will likely be narrowed down to four spots, the competition will be fierce. That's not to mention the possibility of players like Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams competing as one of the select over-age players, or an age-eligible Gio Reyna as well.

Teams will be allotted three players over the age of 23 for a sense of veteran leadership on the pitch, while the 15 players will have to be compromised of players under that set age.

Busio, who was called in for both October and November U23 USMNT windows, will look to report back this March with Mitrovic's squad when they take on a Thierry Henry-managed France side in an international friendly on March 25. It will be good experience for the U.S. squad, with the French seemingly having a heavily stacked side of young talent who play for top European squads across Europe.