Stage 3 is the place to be, as was Little Italy of the Bronx when they had a Serie A team now the property of the former owner of that Club back on the block. The Belmont Business Improvement District (BID) headed the effort with this event. As Rocco and his celebrated team were in town to play Benfica in NJ, Marios was also celebrating it's century in the Real Little Italy. Rocco, an Italian immigrant made the Bronx his home upon arriving here. The Av. was awash in a sea of purple as La VIola paid their visit and were hosted at an Italian restaurant on the street. Rocco who bought the Cosmos on a moments notice also bought this Serie A side in rapid fashion barely a month before. In town as AS Roma had games back in Europe they stepped in to play in the International Champions Cup, driving from an earlier game in the Carolinas to the Bronx, then off to NJ to train for their game in NJ as the other team of Rocco, the NY Cosmos played later in the day. Out of Calabria at the age of 12 the soccer crazy young man went on to play for Colombia, and heads the 5th largest cable company nationwide. The chairman of the BID, Peter Madonia who also owns the local Madonia bakery, had a great plaque welcoming the team to the area, joining in on the fun was Francesco Genuardi the Consul General of Italy in NY along with Regina Migliucci-Delfino of Marios. Ruben Diaz, the Bronx borough President was in attendance to present the team with a citation marking the visit to his borough. Rocco had this to say, "As an adopted son of the Bronx, I'm thrilled to bring FIorentina to famed Arthur Av,, in the heart of the Little Italy in the Bronx, and my home away form home. Thank you to the Belmont BID, the fans and especially my fellow Italian American immigrants for such a warm welcome." Peter Madonia contributed " The Belmont BID and our comunity are proud to welcome ACF Fiorentina to Arthur Avenue." Most fans went away with socccer swag in purple, from towels to shirts or more, then the team was off to Mario's to present them a ball marking their 100th year of business, then on to the retail market for a great meal. Rocco was very happy to have this day, there were many who knew him for decades, and to bring his new team to what was repeatdly referred to as the "Real Little Italy of NYC." For the record, the Cosmos won as Fiorentina gave a up a very late goal to lose to Benfica 1-0. The regualr season of the Italian side opens up this season and Rocco is expected to be present.
