SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Wolff’s Biergarten in downtown Syracuse is where Chapter no. 106 of the American Outlaws comes together. The passionate and diverse group consists of die-hard supporters of the United States men’s and women’s national soccer teams. Vice President of the chapter Jenn Horvath has been with the Outlaws since 2016, and made lifelong friends she may have never met otherwise.
“There’s a very hardcore group [of fans] in Syracuse, and there’s always always a crowd for the games. It’s been awesome… getting to know these people,” Horvath said. “I wouldn’t have known these people if not for the men’s and women’s national teams.”
The bar entertains fans all kinds of different soccer leagues and countries. As early as 7:30 in the morning, fans of the Premier League, the top division of soccer in the United Kingdom, will crowd the stools and watch the matches. The walls are covered in scarves from various matches and clubs, but there’s always space for one more. The US Men’s National Team hasn’t earned a world cup bid since 2014. Last time out, the team was stifled by the small island nation Trinidad and Tobago, and missed out on 2018’s tournament in Russia.
“We were all very, very scared by the experience in 2018,” Horvath said, gesturing to a large mounted moose head in the corner of the bar. “I have a very vivid memory of crying in that corner under the moose when we lost to Trinidad and Tobago and didn’t make the World Cup…If we can get the experience in 2022 leading into the United States hosting the World Cup in 2026, it will be very exciting.”
The current squad under coach Gregg Berhalter is one of the youngest teams in US history, but filled with players who represent European clubs, like Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic in England, Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna in Germany, and Juventus’ Weston McKennie in Italy. Seeing younger talents climb the ranks across the globe means a promising future in the words of AO Syracuse Treasurer Paul LaPlante.
“They’re a young team, a tough team, and they’re going to fight,” LaPlante said. “A couple young players are going to get some good World Cup experience, and it’s just going to make the team worth being followed further on for future World Cups.”
The USMNT are second on the table for regional qualifying for Qatar 2022. The team will get an automatic bid if it wins, draws, or loses by six goals or less in their last game against Costa Rica on March 30. One fan, Nicholas Colon, remembers the last time the Biergarten hosted a World Cup watch party, and is ready for another large crowd.
“It’s going to be packed,” Colon said. “Everyone’s going to go nuts, just like the Women’s World Cup. So, it’s one of those things where I can’t wait to see it again.”
For any curious fans, more information on AO Syracuse can be found on its Facebook page.
