First, I would have to offer a huge thank you to Justin and the guys for starting this thing after the 06 World Cup. It is astounding to think that this ever growing organization started only 3 years ago from a few enthusiastic fans in NE. Second, big ups to every founding member of the 30+ chapters we now have. Third...well ESPN did us all a favor in the might of their marketing machine, which drummed up interest that grew every chapter, and I expect will provide new ones. Question is, where do we go now. The obvious is to keep doing what we've been doing, but we all (like our team) can do better. From a local and a national organization, I believe we need to organize more. Granted, at AO national (to which I email a bit to often and sure they are tired of hearing from me) probably bought into more than they ever thought. That being said (and I again express my gratitude for all they do), I think that as a whole, we can do better. So I pose a question to all the Outlaws, in every chapter....what do you want from AO, what can AO do better, and how can all of us do to help the guys in Lincoln achieve these goals? Ben AO Greenville, NC
Nah, I think it will have alot of carry over, this was a huge push, and alot of people got interested, we can capitalize on that.
If nats games could be held more often on weekends, more of us will be able to travel to attend them.
This will sound cheesy but it is worth it. If we can all get 5 new soccer people to come to a bar, game etc, then it is worth it. I made the US games it an alumni event for the school I used to teach at and we had 50 alumni for England, 20 for the second game, 20 for the 3rd and 40 for the Ghana game and they never were fans before. If 5000 new members come out of this World Cup and they find 5 friends,you guys can do the math. Point is ESPN has now exposed our country to the game, it is up to us to keep spreading the word. Grassroots is cheap and only takes time.
Chale, ese. This world cup opened my eyes in so many ways. US soccer fans are out there. Some are crazy. Loony. Goofy. Weird. Some are everyday people with no reason to watch soccer expect to support "Los Gringos". For the first time EVER, I watched a US match in a crowded pub full of Mexican-Americans and white boys going apeshit over a WC game. Mosh pit. USA songs in Spanish. Momentous is the only word I can some up with. I've followed this team since 90. when you had watch tape delay games on TBS. US Soccer fan support has come a very long ways.....Special props to the Americans that went to South Africa, WC qualifying in central America, and traveled the States to see our boys. I'm not sure if we can ever move past the round of sixteen, but I do know that US Soccer supporters will GROW.
From here I get ready to support the US Women. They're starting 2011 WC qualifying this fall and I think AO should turn out in big numbers for the games.
I don't know about you people but we have never seen anything like that. And I don't just mean our bar. I live in the largest Irish area in NYC, most of the bartenders and owners live in my area. Speaking to these people the last couple of weeks was eye opening. Everyone I spoke to said that every USA game was like a "St Paddy's day" . Which in the NYC bar biz, is the best day of the year. We had to turn people away an hour and half before kick off. And we had over 2,000 people at 3 bars on 33rd street. All these years, people have said, that US fans don't exist. Oh fecking yes they do. They've really never had an outlet to use. The AO chapters have to keep doing what you're doing. Offering a place for the average fan to use and organize. We have told our members to recruit people they see at ballgames, concerts the streets..anywhere you find someone whose rocking US gear. I probably brought down 10-15 guys from a NY Mets messageboard. Those guys are hooked now..Don't be a soccer snob..invite everyone to the party
The same here in Baltimore. For the US games (an many others) you had to show up at the bar when it opened if you wanted to get in. If you weren't there 3 hours early, you weren't getting in. My biggest problem with our new chapter is, finding out who all the fringe people were who signed up for membership in Baltimore.