Darren Powell has made a career out of recognizing soccer talent, and he knew there was something special about Gianluca Busio when he first saw him — even if Busio was just five years old at the time. “Even as a five-year-old, he stood out on the field with exceptional technical ability,” says Powell, now head coach of USL’s San Antonio FC. “He had the ability to run with a soccer ball with coordination and balance. It’s just looked very natural.”

Powell, whose son once played alongside Busio, was among the people completely unsurprised on August 24 when Busio, a quick, creative and versatile forward, became the second-youngest player ever to sign an MLS contract, at 15 years and 89 days old.