The story of The American Outlaws starts in Lincoln, Nebraska. Three huge (we mean HUGE) United States soccer fans Korey Donahoo, Justin Brunken, and Ben Cohoon began by throwing viewing parties at a local bar (Captain Jack’s… pilgrimage to it someday!) and traveling to as many games possible. It sparked excitement among them who felt like they could do more. Early on what they noticed was a lack
of consistency from game to game with regards to the level of supporter organization and communication, particularly with events surrounding the game for fellow fans to meet up (i.e. tailgates, parties, etc.). It was then decided to make AO a nationwide, non-profit supporter group. In 2007 a merry bunch of Outlaws traveled from Lincoln for the Gold Cup in 2007.
2010 marked the first year that The American Outlaws provided a travel package for members to attend the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Outlaws supported the USMNT from Rustenburg to Johannesburg to Pretoria and beyond. Back home thousands of AO members packed their chapter bars and did this. In October of 2013, we celebrated our 100th chapter (Wichita, Kansas) at the World Cup qualifying game against Guatemala in Kansas City. We’re committed to continue growing and including the United States women’s national team in the same fanatical support people have come to expect at men’s games. 2013 marked the year that local AO chapters in dozens of cities began organizing support when the USWNT came to town. We plan on being loud for the ladies during their quest for World Cup glory in 2015 in Canada. For the 2014 FIFA World Cup, we are going even bigger. Over 500 Outlaws will travel to Brazil to support the men’s national team in Natal, Manaus, and Recife. Since our founding, The American Outlaws has established over 125 (and growing) official chapters with over 18,000 members from sea to shining sea (including many abroad, too).
-- Our Name --
When we started bringing soccer fans together to watch soccer in Nebraska (obviously not known for being a hotbed of soccer), and travel to U.S. games, we were part of an outlier group of sports fans. In a sea of American football, baseball, and NASCAR fans we felt we were “outlaws” of the sports world; supporting a sport that most people didn’t know much about or cared little about. We decided to take the moniker of the “outlaw” and be proud of it. By sporting the bandanna of the old American Wild West we signified our “outlaw” status while also creating a symbol other “outlaws” could identify, connect with, and let know they were not alone. The red, white, and blue bandanna was a no-brainer. We wanted to show we are proud of being American and proud to be a soccer fan in America! As the ranks of “outlaws” swells we’re no longer the outcasts of sporting society, but the drivers of what it means to be a fan in the United States. The bandanna is still the symbol of our Outlaws, but now we wear them together, in numbers, at our chapters, at our tailgates, and in the stands. The Wild West has been won.
-- Importance of Supporters --
With a country as big as the United States organization is a critical aspect in creating a unified culture of soccer fans. The more the fan base is united, the greater the fan presence, the more passionate the atmosphere, the more strengthened the sport is. This leads to better results on the field and growth of support for soccer. This is the goal of The American Outlaws. We rely on you to give it you are all for ninety minutes or more whether from your bar stool or in the stands. Organizing chapter events, painting TIFO, leading and participating in chants and cheers… you are the backbone of The American Outlaws, and supporting our national teams can’t be done without you.
-- Importance of Supporters to the Teams --
If you’ve ever wondered if your support in the stadium makes a difference… know that it does to former U.S. international defender Frankie Hejduk. In Nuremberg, hours before kickoff of the Ghana game for the 2006 World Cup, Frankie told us, “please be as loud as you can. You don’t know how much of a difference it makes to the players.”
Former USMNT coach Bob Bradley stated in South Africa that he was in tears from the support when the U.S. bus drove up to the stadium with AO and U.S. fans greeting them before the Algeria game in Pretoria.
“I can’t stress enough how big a difference that makes. When we step on the field and we feel like we’re playing in front of a crowd that is 98% American and is going to push you and support you through 90 minutes no matter what, we appreciate that and thank everybody who comes to be a part of that,” said USMNT midfielder Michael Bradley. As we enter into the next era of The American Outlaws as a national organization we look forward to many more highlights and through the community, we hope we can accomplish our goals of accelerating the “uniting and strengthening” of U.S. soccer fans.
-- Chapter Criteria --
A minimum of 25 paid American Outlaw Members. Have a "home base" bar, where fans can expect to meet to watch each game. Host a viewing party at said bar for EVERY GAME.
