Roma World No.23: Orlando

Name: Lorenzo Pistoni
Age: 27
City: Orlando
Country: USA

Where did you grow up?

“I grew up in Rome, in the area known as Montesacro.”

Why did you choose Roma?

“It was love at first sight. This club carries the colours and the symbol of my beloved city. I could not choose anything else but ROMA!”

What is your first memory of Roma?

“I was about four or five years old. I remember going every Sunday to the local bar in my neighborhood with my best friend Martina to watch Roma’s game, because we did not have the cable TV. We were the youngest ones there, but also the most hardcore fans! Now, after more than 20 years, Martina and I are still really good friends. She is the mother of two beautiful twins whom I am sure she will raise as Romanisti!”

Who was your first Roma hero and why?

“My very first hero was Vincenzo Montella. He helped us win the Scudetto in the 2000-01 season. I loved how he was so determined to score any time he was given a chance to play, since he rarely started among the first 11 players. He was a very quick and intelligent player. Also, I loved how the other team’s defenders feared him, even though he was relatively short, just like me!”

Do Roma have a passionate fan base in the city you live?

“When I moved to Orlando in 2008, I soon realised how the few Italians living there were very dispersed, and the lack of a good gathering point did not help it. Over time, I met and gathered many Italians, Americans and South Americans whom are avid fans of soccer like me. All together, we started to watch Serie A games at my place or at some Italian restaurants. Soon, my passion for Roma spread around and the group started to cheer exclusively for AS Roma. So, I guess it’s legit to say that I rubbed off on them my passion for Roma!”

What makes Roma so special to you?

“The love I feel for Roma is not something you can put into words. It is something that goes beyond the 90 minutes of the game. I literally breathe, eat and think of Roma every day of my life. No matter where I go, I have to read and listen to the news about Roma.

“There is a great saying that I always use to explain to my American friends my love for Roma (the city) and the AS Roma (team): ‘Roma is wife, is mother and lover!’”

What does Totti mean to you?

“I am a proud Roman and Roma fan, but having Francesco Totti as my captain makes me even more proud. He means Roma to me. I consider myself extremely lucky to have grown up looking at his deeds on the pitch, always wearing our beautiful colors. He is an amazing person also outside the pitch. I had the honour to meet him the first time at Villa Stuart after his ankle injury. I was there because I was recovering from a knee surgery and we had the same surgeon - Pierpaolo Mariani.

“I was a shy 17-year-old boy, and even though he was going through a lot of pain after the surgery, he invited me to take a picture with him and was so nice all the time. He probably does not remember, but that afternoon, believe me when I tell you, I will never forget! I also met him in Orlando during Roma training in 2013. At the time, I was working for the Orlando City Soccer, so I got the chance to spend a lot of time with the Roma players who were training in the same ESPN sport facilities. Hands down, every day, before and after the training, Totti was the kindest of all the players, especially with the children.”

Who is your favourite current player and why?

“Obviously it is Totti but since I already talked about him, I want to mention Daniele De Rossi. Besides being one of the best midfielders of the last 20 years, he embodies the grit and nerve of us Romans. Furthermore, over the years, he has always given amazing interviews, proving to be a great communicator, too.”

What makes you most proud to be a Roma supporter?

“Being a Roma supporter means being a true Roman citizen. We share the same pros and cons with the Eternal City itself. We are irreverent, joyful and always ready for self-mockery. Being a Roma supporter is a state of mind!

“I was born Romanista and I will die so. In the meantime, I will live proudly showing off my colours, my symbol and my support for my team."

Follow @LorenzoPistoni on Twitter.