About the
American Outlaws
The American Outlaws dedicates itself to organizing passionate, enthusiastic support for our men's, women's, and youth national soccer teams — wherever and whenever they take the field. We commit to a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible atmosphere for all, and we unite and strengthen through our network of local chapters to build community, host watch parties, and mobilize for charitable works.
As one… we are the American Outlaws.
Watch the movement.
In the section.
Welcome! Your ticket purchase puts you right in the middle of the loudest, most passionate section of the stadium — the American Outlaws supporters section. We can't wait to have you standing, singing, and chanting with us.
Things to know:
- Ticketing — Most matches are now assigned seating. Occupy your assigned seat; the section isn't general admission unless the ticket type says so. If you've moved and a member asks for their seat, let them have it.
- Standing — The supporters' section is a standing-ONLY section, so be prepared.
- Singing and chanting — You don't have to chant to be here, but everyone joining in is what makes the section so great.
- Passionate and positive — Support our team positively and with tons of energy.
Our story.
The history
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 as possible.
It sparked excitement among fans who felt like they could do more. Early on, what they noticed was a lack of consistency from game to game in supporter organization and communication — particularly around events surrounding the game, like tailgates and parties.
So they made AO a nationwide, non-profit supporter group. In 2007 a merry bunch of Outlaws traveled from Lincoln for the Gold Cup. In 2010 we provided our first travel package for members to attend the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, supporting the USMNT from Rustenburg to Johannesburg to Pretoria and beyond.
In October 2013 we celebrated our 100th chapter (Wichita, Kansas) at a World Cup qualifier against Guatemala in Kansas City. In 2014 we announced our first international chapter in London, England — our 150th overall.
Over 500 Outlaws traveled to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup, the largest single group of fans to attend; in 2015 we brought thousands to the Women's World Cup to back the USWNT's winning campaign. Since our founding we've established over 175 (and growing) official chapters with more than 30,000 members from sea to shining sea.
Our name
When we started bringing fans together to watch soccer in Nebraska — not exactly a hotbed of the sport — and traveling to U.S. games, we were part of an outlier group of sports fans. In a sea of football, baseball, and NASCAR fans, we felt like "outlaws" of the sports world. We decided to take the moniker and be proud of it, sporting the red, white, and blue bandanna of the old American Wild West as a symbol other "outlaws" could identify with and connect to.
As the ranks of "outlaws" swelled, we became less the outcasts of sporting society and more the drivers of what it means to be a fan in the United States. The bandanna is still our symbol, but now we wear them together, in numbers, at our chapters, at our tailgates, and in the stands. The Wild West has been won.
Why supporters matter
In a country as big as the United States, organization is critical to creating a unified soccer culture. The more united the fan base, the greater the presence, the more passionate the atmosphere, and the more strengthened the sport — leading to better results on the field and growth of the game. That is the goal of The American Outlaws.
If you've ever wondered whether your support in the stadium makes a difference, know that it does. Before the 2006 Ghana game, Frankie Hejduk told us, "please be as loud as you can — you don't know how much of a difference it makes to the players." Bob Bradley was in tears from the support when the U.S. bus arrived in Pretoria. And Michael Bradley put it plainly: "When we feel like we're playing in front of a crowd that's going to push you and support you through 90 minutes no matter what, we appreciate that."
The American Outlaws is a 501(c)(7) non-profit.
American Outlaws is a non-profit organization where all membership, merchandise, and proceeds go back into the organization to achieve our mission.
We also pledge over 2% of what we bring in to our AO Foundation (501(c)(3)), AO Impact, putting it back into our communities to help fund non-profits that give access to soccer and better our communities through the game.
Join the movement.
Where you go, we'll follow. Pull up a seat in the loudest section of every US Soccer game and help us unite and strengthen this country's fans.