Italian Soccer Giant to Hold Winter Training December 30, 2012 – January 1, 2013

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA; (NOVEMBER 19, 2012) – Three-time Italian Serie A champion AS Roma returns stateside this December for its first annual winter training as part of the club’s multi-year partnership with ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. As presenting sponsor for Disney’s Soccer Showcase, the top-rated youth soccer tournament in the United States, AS Roma invites international soccer fans to join them at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for a one-of-a-kind fan interaction experience.

One of European soccer’s most prestigious organizations, AS Roma treats fans to open training sessions throughout the day at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex featuring the club’s entire 2012-2013 roster. These sessions are open to the public with paid admission to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from Sunday, December 30, 2012 through January 1, 2013.

AS Roma is in talks to play an international friendly match following their winter training; an official announcement regarding date, opponent, and location will follow.

For North American and European soccer fans looking to travel with the team to Florida for winter training, AS Roma offers exclusive travel packages (subject to availability and conditions) that include:

• Optional roundtrip airfare to/from Orlando, Florida (including shuttle service from the airport to Walt Disney World Resort)
• Lodging accommodations at Walt Disney World Resort
• The VIP Fan Experience (available on Monday, December 31, 2012), which includes:
  • Entry to AS Roma’s training session on Monday, December 31, 2012 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
  • Meet & greet with AS Roma players and coaches
  • Photos and autographs with AS Roma players and coaches
  • The VIP Fan Experience is also available for $99/person at www.asroma.it for fans who live in Central Florida or who have made their own travel arrangements to Walt Disney World

 ”Building on the overwhelming success of AS Roma’s 2012 Summer Tour through Boston, Chicago and the NYC area this July, we are more committed than ever to fostering homegrown talent and interest in the world’s greatest sport – soccer – here in the United States,” says AS Roma President James Pallotta.

AS Roma CEO Mark Pannes adds: “Our sponsorship of the Disney Soccer Showcase and holding our winter training at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a world-class training facility, are more examples of AS Roma continuing to inspire and support the next generation of American soccer players and fans.”

Coming off a strong first half in Italian soccer’s top division and within striking distance of a 2013 Champion Leagues birth, AS Roma, affectionately called the Giallorossi (the “Yellow Reds”) by their loyal international fan base, comes to Disney with its entire star-studded roster, including all-time Serie A leading scorer Francesco Totti, U.S. National Team star Michael Bradley and 2012 UEFA Euro Cup Finalist, Italian National Team member Daniele De Rossi.

 ”For young American players participating in the Disney Soccer Showcase, the unique opportunity to witness AS Roma’s open training sessions and engage with its superstar players and coaches is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” says Mike Millay, Director, Sports Development, Disney Sports. “This partnership also provides fans in Central Florida and our international guests visiting Walt Disney World the chance to see one of the top clubs in the world.”

Disney’s Soccer Showcase is the ultimate place for top clubs to be seen by hundreds of college coaches looking for great soccer talent. Rated the #1 youth soccer tournament in the U.S. in a Soccer America survey, Disney’s Soccer Showcase gives athletes a chance to shine on one of the biggest stages set for youth soccer in the United States. The Boys’ Showcase will be held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex December 27-30, 2012; the Girls’ Showcase is held December 31, 2012 – January 3, 2013.