Dear #AOFamily, An “interesting” 2018 awaits us all as members of the American Outlaws. With the failure to make this summer’s World Cup fresh in all our minds it is easy to feel like this is a lost year. In reality it is really anything but that. If there is anything American Outlaws has shown is that the community we’ve all built is bigger than just one team or one disappointment. We are building towards a brighter future. Fresh prospects on the men’s front and a chance for new journey, a World Cup Qualifying year for the women’s national team, and we all have a community and chapters that have been built over the last decade that we’re committed to continuing to “unite and strengthen”. It is in that spirit that we present to you our 2018 AO membership shirt designed by John Daniel Knight of AO: Oklahoma City. Partially inspired by the Great Seal of the US partially because… well…. eagles rule. Just a quick note on the color of this year’s shirt… last year we celebrated our 10th anniversary with a throwback royal blue and while traditionally we have sported red we’re sure your closet has plenty of those colored shirts by now. We’re starting a new tradition in which we “hold” one color for four years and return to our royal blue roots each five years before moving on to a new color. Mixing it up. Keeping it interesting. Just like we always have. A membership in the American Outlaws is more than just a t-shirt and a bandana. It’s also access to tickets, #AOAway packages, travel deals, and retail discounts. Most importantly it is an opportunity to belong in our diverse and inclusive #AOFamily behind the goal (“This Land is Our Land”), at our events and in our chapters bars to help build soccer in this country with globally respected team and supporters’ culture. We love that you’re a part of our community and we hope that you’ll join on this new journey into 2018 and beyond. John Knight runs MENT Apparel in OKC and was the 2016 member scarf design contest winner as well. He answered a few questions about his inspiration and more. What was your inspiration behind design this year’s AO member shirt? Like most designs that I have seen in the past, my inspiration was based on one of our most recognizable symbols, the Bald Eagle. I really wanted to use the phrase “We Stand United” since I used it in the 7.0 Scarf Design Contest last year. How does it feel to have you work shared with over 30,000 AO members in 2018? I cannot explain how excited and grateful I am for my design to be selected for the 2018 AO Member Shirt. I never imagined my love for design and soccer would get me here. To be honest, I am not sure it has sunk in yet. What is it about American Outlaws that you enjoy being a member? What I really enjoy about being an AO member is the fact that I am a part of the bigger picture. While it’s fun to get together with other members or fans during a US match, it’s even more satisfying to see the support grow. How has AO brought you closer to the national team? AO has brought me closer to the national team by connecting me with other people in the soccer community. I have met so many others that share my passion for soccer and the future of the sport in America, especially in my home state of Oklahoma. What is your hope for the future of our men’s and women’s national teams? My hope for US Soccer is and has always been about growing the game we love. I grew up playing soccer and I have watched the sport get bigger every year. With AO and the support of our community, we can continue to build upon this great culture.

———————— A membership in the American Outlaws is more than just a t-shirt and a bandana. It’s also access to tickets, #AOAway packages, travel deals, and retail discounts. Most importantly it is an opportunity to belong in our diverse and inclusive #AOFamily behind the goal (“This Land is Our Land”), at our events and in our chapters bars to help build soccer in this country with globally respected team and supporters’ culture. We love that you’re a part of our community and we hope that you’ll join on this new journey into 2018 and beyond.

MEMBERSHIP FAQ

I am not a member. How can I sign up? Get on it! Join the American Outlaws on our website. NOTE: All orders before January 1, 2018 will still get the 2017 membership shirt. Can I sign up for an AO membership today and get the 2018 shirt? No. It is still 2017. All membership orders before Dec. 31 will still get the 2017 member shirt. If you’d like the 2018 shirt please wait until January 1st to sign up. I am a current AO member who signed up online. When will I receive my 2018 shirt? If you’re a current member and your membership is set for auto-renew (you can check this by looking under Settings > My Payments > Pre-approved Payments in PayPal for pre-2017 members OR in the AO membership portal at members.theamericanoutlaws.com for post-2017 members) you will receive your 2018 membership shirt a couple days after your renewal date. You will get an email indicating your membership renewal before the month in which your membership is up. I am an AO member who signed up at an event. When will I receive my 2018 shirt? I am an AO member who signed up at an event. When will I receive my 2018 shirt? We rolled out electronic sign ups at most events in 2017 so your membership will auto-renew just like signing up on our website. Check your membership info at members.theamericanoutlaws.comCan I give the gift of an AO membership? Of course! You’re so kind! Give the gift of an AO membership. After purchase the buyer will immediately receive a link to download a certificate (and will also receive one through e-mail) they can print to give the recipient. Please inform the giftee to redeem the code AFTER Jan. 1, 2018 if they want the 2018 member shirt. The 2018 shirt will then mail shortly after January 1! NOTE: All gift memberships are for one year and need to be either re-gifted next year or member would need to re-sign up themselves.