From the US to Rome: "This is how As Roma changed my opinion about football"

Starting from zero and becoming a "romanista". Here's the story about Adeliza, Brian and Riley, three american Students: they lived in Rome for last semester and they started knowing what As Roma is and then give us their particular point of view.

Before coming to Rome, did you know about AS Roma or have any connections to it?
Adeliza Rosario, a 20-year-old from Lawrence, Massachusets: “I am not much of a soccer fan. Soccer is definitely not as big of a deal in the US as it is here in Europe. So, before coming to Rome, I had no connection to AS Roma.”
Brian Caplan, a 20-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio: “Before coming to Rome, I did not know much if anything about AS Roma. I knew in general that Italy was big on football but I didn't know any of the intricacies of football culture here.”
Riley Galizio, a 20-year-old from Wayland, Massachusets: “I did not know anything about AS Roma. However, I knew that soccer was big in Europe and Italy.”

How has your perception of AS Roma changed since living in Rome? 
Adeliza: “I had not been in Rome for a full week before I was told many times that I had to attend an AS Roma game. Not being much of a fan, I ignored it at first. But as I watched people flood the street of Rome in their AS Roma gear on game days I became more interested. I was particularly attracted to the team spirit that surrounds the game. You could feel the passion and excitement on the street on game days. So my perception has definitely changed!” 
Caplan: “Now I definitely see how much people care about football in general.”
Galizio: “Now I understand that soccer is truly a lifestyle in Italy. People would die for their team.”

If you have been to a game what was your experience like? If not, do you want to go to a game? Why or why not? 
Rosario: “I was lucky enough to snag tickets to AS Roma’s last home game of the season against Torino. Initially, the game was completely sold out but I was not going to give up. I checked many times a day, and thankfully, I was able to get some seats. It was nothing like I had experienced before. The energy and excitement inside the stadium is exponentially more intense than the build-up on the streets of Rome on game days. Every seat in the stadium was a good seat. Everyone was cheering, and I was surrounded by passionate fans who watched every second of the game. Suddenly, I was also interested in watching!”
Caplan: “I really wish I could go to a game but I have not had time to go. In addition to the price, during most games, I have either been traveling or too busy to attend.”
Galizio: “I went to the game against Torino. It was wild. There was a man and his son in front of us and any time something happened in the game, they reacted with extreme passion. The other team also had a section very close to where we were sitting, and they chanted the entire 90 min game while waving their flags.  It was obvious that these teams were incredibly important to these people.”

If you could describe AS Rome in one sentence or just using a few words, how would you describe it? 
Rosario: “A culture.”
Caplan: “AS Roma is a great team that brings people together.”
Galizio: “Exhilarating, passionate, and communal.”

How would you describe the city’s support for the team? 
Rosario: “The city’s support for the team is admirable. Win or lose, the people of Rome live for AS Roma. When I attended the game against Torino, people of all ages, including children, were immensely invested in the game. It was so great to see. I am even tempted to say the people of Rome support AS Roma as Americans support their football team during the Super Bowl!”
Caplan: “AS Roma is a team the city of Rome can really rally behind.”
Galizio: “The support really seems to me to bring the city of Rome together in a way that I have never seen before.”