This season, the Premier League's US Instagram account, @PLinUSA, has been highlighting the passionate, diverse PL fandom from coast to coast, in the series Premier League passion in the US: Fans' stories.
Meet Ryan and Debbie, a Tampa couple who share a deep love not only for each other, but for Manchester City, too.
Debbie and Ryan
Debbie: "My sister had recently gotten married, and we went to a friend’s wedding last weekend.
"Looking at their photos and getting ideas for our engagement - I thought it would be really cool if one of our outfits were City kits. Ryan didn’t take much convincing.”
Ryan: “It was stressful because we didn’t realize that morning was when City played Everton at 7:30am. In between outfit changes, I was looking at my phone, so I think I made the session take a little bit longer!”
Debbie: “We met online about three years ago. He had a soccer picture on his profile, and he definitely mentioned soccer and Manchester City.
"I picked up pretty quickly it was something he was passionate about. I’ve always been a soccer fan, watching MLS, the World Cup, and I’d watch the Premier League, too.
Miami fan event
"Meeting Ryan is when I got really into an actual Premier League team as opposed to just watching soccer in general.”
Ryan: “I definitely didn’t give her an ultimatum or anything, but I did strongly encourage her to avoid a few certain teams.
"Luckily, soon after we met, City were in Miami for a fan event, and we had an opportunity to catch a practice and meet the players and go to their game against Bayern Munich, where she got to see what City supporters were like.”
Debbie: “It definitely was a positive experience. There were a lot of things that we got to take part in as fans of Man City that I have not gotten to take part in as a fan of any other team or sport.
"Us sharing this makes for great quality time, and we have developed our own little traditions as a couple for games in the mornings. Being new to City, it’s been great watching the last few years with Ryan.”
Ryan: “It’s been fun to share together. I try to make sure to set the alarms, watch the line-ups, watch Premier League Mornings. She doesn’t need that part though, I’ll let her sleep in a bit.
“This year has been a pretty special year to celebrate - adding the title to all the other things we’re celebrating in our personal lives!”
