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The American Outlaws Shows Syracuse’s Soccer Community The American Outlaws Shows Syracuse's Soccer Community

The Landmark Theater hosted a World Cup watch party, with the American Outlaws.

By Enrique Lopez

The Flag of the American Outlaws Syracuse Chapter.
© 2022 (c) Enrique Lopez

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – As the United States battled Iran to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup, fans gathered at the Landmark Theater to support their team.

However, Syracuse did not always have this much soccer support. Groups like the American Outlaws helped establish a soccer fan base in the community.

“They’re the largest unofficial supporters group in the U.S,” said Steve Haller, President of the Syracuse Chapter of the American Outlaws. “We’ve got over 200 chapters, multiple thousands of members that are all, you know, geared towards supporting the soccer system.”

The Syracuse Chapter of the American Outlaws began in 2013 and struggled to find the necessary 25 members to create a chapter. Now, there are hundreds of supporters.

“I’m a big soccer fan, I have a son whos a big soccer fan,” Member Mark Dunseath said. “You’re a member no matter where you are, whether you got the scarf or not.”

The American Outlaws plans to continue their watch parties as the United States continues in the 2022 World Cup.

ENRIQUE LOPEZ: The energy was felt throughout the Syracuse community as fans brought their passion.

Fans showed support with their families…

JEFF DUNSEATH: “I’m a big soccer fan, I have a son whos a big soccer fan.”

LOPEZ: And their communities.

STEVE HALLER: “Watching an event like this with other people just feels different.”

LOPEZ: Syracuse didn’t always have this much soccer support. But groups like the American Outlaws helped establish a soccer fanbase in the community.

With fans so passionate, they can’t take their eye off the game.

“What is American Outlaws?”

HALLER: “They’re the largest unofficial supporters group in the U.S. We’ve got over 200 chapters, multiple thousands of members that are all, you know, geared towards supporting the soccer system”

LOPEZ: The American Outlaws Syracuse Chapter began in 2013, struggling to find the necessary 25 members to create a chapter.

Now there are hundreds of supporters.

HALLER: “And when I first moved back to Syracuse, you couldn’t even find a place on showing soccer. So it’s definitely, definitely been a drastic growth over the last, you know, ten, 15 years..”

LOPEZ: And that outlaw camaraderie…

DUNSEATH: “I guess technically I make donations…”

LOPEZ: Remains strong.

DUNSEATH: “Well, I guess if youre a member if youre a member intrinsically in your mind, no matter where you are, whether or not you got the scarf or not.”

LOPEZ: Enrique Lopez, NCC News.

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