SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)— Wednesday night, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team qualified for the World Cup. Among the people in the U.S. happy with the result was a local fan group in Syracuse called the American Outlaws.
The American Outlaws are a national “superfan” group and Syracuse is its 106th chapter. They get together to watch the games at Wolff’s Biergarten in downtown Syracuse.
The Outlaws felt disappointment when the USMNT lost to Trinidad y Tribago back in 2017, eliminating the U.S. from the 2018 World Cup. Vice President of the Syracuse chapter, Jenn Horvath, fell that despair in the same place she’s celebrating today.
“I sat in this corner, four years ago and cried, and sobbed and cried. It was awful,” Horvath said.
However, the American Outlaws don’t just get together to watch soccer games. They support local charities. Right now it supports Tilly’s Touch to provide underprivileged kids in the community with soccer equipment. This helps local kids and grows soccer which Horvath said has been noticeable.
“The future of soccer in this country is so bright. Just because I can walk into a bar and you have a Premier League team. 10 years ago, you would’ve looked at me like I had three heads,” Horvath said.
The American Outlaws are expected to grow as well following the success of U.S. national teams. The more members they have results in more positive impacts in the community.
