Born in New York and raised in Florida, Gianna Merigliano’s journey from the United States to the streets of Rome, is not only a testament to her soccer talent but also a celebration of her determination and rich Italian heritage. In terms of family history, Gianna was raised with roots tracing back to Italy (father’s heritage) as well as Columbia (mother’s heritage).
The fusion of Italian, Colombian and American influences in her upbringing has shaped her both on and off the field, making her a unique and formidable force in the world of women’s soccer.
To fully understand Gianna’s Italian American heritage, we must revisit the first time the Merigliano’s came to America. Originally, the Merigliano family name was tied to the town of Calabria in the south of Italy. The first member of the family to venture west was Gianna’s great-grandfather, who took the long journey across the ocean. He traveled to Westchester County, New York, where the Merigliano clan had remained all the way until Gianna came long.
As a young child in the streets of New York City, Gianna has always held immense pride in her Italian ancestry. Whether in New York or in Florida, Gianna and her parents Maria and Daryl as well as her 4 siblings Krista, Nick, Alec and Nina, always found ways to embrace and celebrate Italian culture in the United States. While in New York, Gianna’s family would often visit Arthur Avenue and ‘Little Italy’ to eat the best Italian food New York had to offer as well as connect with the other Italian Americans living in the area. Many Meriglianos still reside in New York to this day, and remain active in the Italian American community.
When Gianna’s immediate family moved to Jupiter, Florida, their admiration for Italian American living did not waver. While it might not have the historic significance of New York’s ‘Little Italy’, there still remains a large Italian influence in the state of Florida. Gianna and her family would make sure to visit the Floridian ‘Little Italy’ when they could, as well as attend any local markets, festivals or public events that celebrated Italian culture.
Making sure to keep up their family ties, it was very important for Gianna and her family to have big weekly family dinners with her father’s extended family, and as she claims, the food was of course strictly Italian. Beyond their family gatherings, Gianna and her immediate family would often travel to Italy throughout her childhood (to different cities each time), as her parents really wanted to immerse her in the historic culture, and give her a sense of belonging to the country.
Food & travel however, was not the only staple of Gianna’s Italian connection. Gianna’s passion for soccer had sparked an ongoing love-story between Gianna and the sport that her Italian blood holds so dearly. Some of Gianna’s earliest memories are watching the Italian National Team play in numerous tournaments, and cheering on the Azzurri with all of her Italian relatives.
It didn’t take long for Gianna to realize that although she loved watching the team, she knew that she belonged on the field herself. With the support of her family who instilled a deep appreciation for the game’s artistry and competitive spirit, Gianna began her Calcio journey. Showcasing her exceptional skills, innate understanding of the game and a hunger and desire to be the best version of herself, Gianna quickly excelled on the field. At any given moment during her time playing soccer, Gianna never wavered her incredible dedication. She continued to push herself to the next level, and made sure to always stay hungry to progress and improve.
Gianna spent time playing for Palm Beach Predators, Jupiter United Soccer Club, Wellington Wave Soccer club, and finally Team Boca soccer club. In High School, Gianna was a four-year varsity starter and was named captain for her Junior and Senior seasons, highlighting her leadership abilities. During this time she was named All-County Honorable Mention as a sophomore and junior, and named All-County Second Team as a senior.
After her high-school career, Gianna knew she wanted to continue her development as a player and committed to play soccer for Rollins College at the University level. At Rollins playing as a defensive full-back, Gianna once again showed her ability and determination. Her accolades at Rollins include Fall and Spring Rollins Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, Fall SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll, SSC Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll as well as Second Team All-SSC in the 2019 season.
After completing her undergraduate studies in Psychology with a minor in Global Health, Gianna made the bold decision to mirror the move of her great-grandfather so many years before. Gianna decided to move from the USA to Italy, to further her education, by committing to attend Rome City Institute and receive a Masters Degree in Sports Management. Gianna also took this opportunity to continue her soccer career, and take the next step forward into the Professional World. With her unwavering determination and a burning desire to challenge herself both academically and athletically, Gianna embarked on a transformative journey.
As soon as she arrived in Rome, Gianna wanted to find an Italian club that would provide her with the platform to showcase her skills at the professional level. Immediately, Gianna’s physical ability and mental toughness started to turn the heads of Italian coaches. Soon enough, Gianna signed with Trastevere Calcio Femminile, a Serie C club that was eager to challenge for the top of the Serie C league. The club’s coaching staff recognized Gianna’s potential and wasted no time in offering her an opportunity to join their ranks.
Adapting to the football style of a new country is never easy, and it was no different for Gianna as she had to put in a lot of work to earn the respect and admiration of her teammates and coaches. However, as it had her whole life, her determination and work ethic helped her stand out.
In the beginning of the season, Gianna worked tirelessly to earn her limited minutes off the bench. But in no time at all Gianna proved her worth as she was given more and more minutes, game by game. By the end of the season after transitioning from wide defensive player to an attacking winger, Gianna was a solidified starter and provided a flurry of goals and assists that helped lead Trastevere to a 2nd place finish in Serie C, their highest in team history.
Throughout her career, Gianna has made sure to never let athletics come above academics, and this was no different in Rome. In May of 2023, Gianna completed her Masters degree at Rome City as an exemplary student, and now holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Management & Coaching.
As her first year abroad came to a close, Gianna knew that this was not the end, but just the beginning. Gianna plans to return to Rome for the next academic year, working as a Coach for Rome City while continuing to compete and play Professional Calcio in Italy.
As she continues down her path, both on and off the soccer field, Gianna remains dedicated to honoring her heritage, uplifting her family’s legacy, and fostering connections between her Italian and American identities. Her journey is a testament to the power of heritage and the profound impact it can have on one’s personal and professional growth. Gianna’s unwavering determination and resolute spirit serve as inspiration for others to believe that with relentless perseverance, the unthinkable can become an uplifting reality.