TOW recently sat down with Justin Brunken and Korey Donahoo of the American Outlaws, the supporter’s group for the US Men’s National Team. Justin and Korey shared with us how they and their friends formed a group which became a movement that has connected and emboldened US fans across the country leading up to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
Justin and Korey tell the story…
Justin: We all are from Lincoln, Nebraska, and we knew each other playing soccer in college and playing in a band growing up, as well as random misadventures throughout our years. American Outlaws was founded by us; Ben Cohoon, Korey Donahoo, and (me)Justin Brunken. It started from a conversation on the way to US v Latvia Game in Connecticut. Others in the conversation that helped brainstorm were Zach Stivrins, our lovely host of the AO Podcast, and Chris Donahoo, US soccer knowledge and podcast extraordinaire.
The first real talks about Outlaws were always in the parking lot at games. We really put something together for the first time for the game against Brazil in Chicago in 2007, which was a really cool experience. We brought a lot of people who had never been to a soccer game before from Lincoln, and a lot of those people watch every game with us to this day.
We took 50 some US fans from Lincoln to Chicago, which was the first sighting of American Outlaws. It was extremely fun, just doing what we do best, partying, drinking, and creating a fun and intimidating atmosphere. Everyone loved what we were doing, and were amazed at how many people we brought. A lot of people joined in that day and wanted to know what we were about and what we were doing next. So we decided to continue what we were doing from that day on.
Our goal is to unite and strengthen US Soccer fans with a consistent and motivating experience at every domestic US game, no matter the city. We hope to create a culture, community, and methods to grow and strengthen the fan base, Ultimately creating an atmosphere in the stadium at all games to help boost the US National Team.
There is already a US supporters group, Sam’s Army. What are the differences between the American Outlaws and Sam’s Army?
Justin: Well, we both have the same goal, but I think we have different ways to get there. We’ve been dubbed the next generation of US supporters, and we tend to have a younger base. We create a different culture and a more active community than Sam’s Army, but in the end we both want to grow the US Soccer fan base and create a community, and we both come together in the stadium. So we work separately and together.
Well I know I love US Soccer, because I love soccer, and this is my country and with US Soccer and international soccer, there is nothing more passion inducing than supporting your country with every other fan in this country.
People live and die for this sport, and each goal and each possession can make or break a game, so the intensity can build and build until that one moment, and then you can either be the happiest you have ever been or absolutely defeated. No other sport competes in this regard.
One game that inspired me was the US game in Nashville during qualifying, where the whole stadium stood pretty much the whole game. If that can happen in Nashville, we feel it can happen anywhere.
How did the stars and stripes hankerchief become your emblem?
Justin: We always wore American flag bandanas to the games, even before Outlaws was formed. We thought it looked pretty bad ass, and thats eventually where the name came from. We kind of hope for a day that the whole stadium will be sporting an American flag bandana, because we think it looks pretty intimidating.
Korey: Things have grown quick and beyond our expectations. Our members have been great, and our chapters and our members are the ones that really help American Outlaws grow. I think the Chicago qualifier, complete with Sunil Gulati giving an impromptu speech to us on the street, was a point of no return.
Justin: We have heard from a few players, and they like what we are doing and encourage us to keep on trucking. That always keeps us motivated. They want more passionate fans in the stands, just like we do.
We got a sweet testimonial from the man himself, Jimmy Conrad, which is on our site.
Companies like Nike, MLS, Continental Airlines, Archrival, Fox Soccer Channel and others have been great to us and get what we are trying to do, and are willing to help us out. With out help from these companies and our friends/members, none of this would be possible. Wow, sounds like I am accepting an Oscar.
What has been the American Outlaws greatest moment so far?
Korey: The Gulati speech was the cherry on top of one of my favorite days being an Outlaw. The entire weekend in Chicago had great turnouts at the bars and at the tailgate, and the come-from-behind victory in the game made for an epic atmosphere in one of my favorite cities in the world.
How do you work with local chapters?
Korey: We work with local chapters on giving them resources and a large voice, but leave the rest up to them.
What are some of your plans coming up?
Justin: For the Netherlands match, since its out of the country, we are limited with what we can do. We set up the Continental code to cheapen flights for our members, and provide message boards for members to get in contact with each other.
What do you have planned for the World Cup?
Justin: Korey and I are both going. We have been saving our money for a while in expectation of the World Cup, but I have also been pawning off some of my old stuff, like my MC Hammer and Boys 2 Men CDs.
I am lucky enough to have flex time, so I have been saving my vacation, but I have a honey moon too, right after the World Cup. So I might be begging my boss. Who knows, one day we might not have to worry about taking off for vacation for American Outlaw Events.
We created a World Cup Travel Package for our members, so that we can give our members and US fans an affordable, safe, and fun trip to South Africa. This will also allow for US fans to come together and travel together in support of the US. We sold out our package, and are waiting anxiously for the kick off of US v England. I hope I survive.
The June 12th England match – what do you expect?
Justin: Well, the last England match I went to, was the friendly in Chicago, a while ago, and the small bar we went to after the game, which was taken over by English fans turned into a brawl. I don’t say this because it is the stereotype of English Football fans, but because it really happened. We were the few Americans in the bar, and they all loved us, but the brawl was between English Fans, started over a club rivalry. I was young, and it was insane. Bottles at heads, and the Chicago Swat. That is all I can say.
So, I don’t know what to expect. With English fans, it could go either way when they get drunk. I think it depends on the result and the amount of Newcastle they down. I expect it to be fun and and an experience that people will never forget. That I can guarantee.
Justin: I think this match is the most important to all US fans. The coverage and exposure this game will get will be massive stateside, and the implications of the result are huge.
We are working on chants and banners, but US fans are never in short supply of either of those. We plan on partying before those games, and we always like to play a game with opposing team fans before a game. So that is in the works for those on our Travel Package.
We are 1-0 by the way, from our victory against England fans for the last game at Wembley.
How do you think the US will fare in the World Cup?
Justin: We should all expect to get out of the group. We are good enough to do that. After that, as long as we play with the intensity that we want to win the tournament, I would be satisfied. We still rely a lot on a few players and if those few players don’t play their best game every game, then who knows. But they all play to win, that is why all the teams show up.
Where are some of your goals for the American Outlaws over the next twelve months.
Korey: We want to help make the World Cup as successful as possible in terms of bringing in new fans, because thats what it does best. Capitalizing on a game like the England game is a goal of ours, and will go a long way to filling stadiums in, say, 2013. We just hope to have a successful world cup, and keep those fans excited for the 6 month dead period after the World Cup.
