Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — The American Outlaws are United States Soccer’s biggest fans. Tuesday the supporter group hosted two watch alongs in Syracuse for the United States Men’s National soccer team’s crucial third group match against Iran. American Outlaws regularly host gatherings as Wolff’s Biergarten every time the Americans take the field, but during the World Cup they’ve had to expand to other locations as well. For the tournament, the Outlaws can be found at the Landmark Theater, and with hundreds of fans showing up to watch the U.S. play England on Black Friday, a signal was sent about how passion for soccer in Central New York is changing.
Steve Haller, the president of the Syracuse Chapter of American Outlaws, says watch along crowds have grown massively since the U.S’s last world cup tournament.
“In 2014 yeah during the cup it was huge, but off-games or any of that sort of thing, the draw wasn’t quite there,” Haller said. “We had trouble finding 25 to start a chapter. Meanwhile now we are 100 plus members strong.”
Haller says he sees soccer’s progression in Central New York every weekend, not just during the World Cup.
“If you go down to you know Wolff’s or any place on a random Saturday there is people watching Premier League Games, Bundesliga, La Liga, all throughout, go in the evening you got MLS matches on, Haller said.”
The excitement is spreading to the Hill of Syracuse University as well.
“Watching the program that Coach Mcintyre has grown up on the hill has been amazing. Watching the crowds growing as well, they’ve pretty much doubled or tripled in size,” Haller said.
As for Tuesday’ game against Iran, Haller expressed an anxious excitement.
“I think everybody is gonna be sitting on pins and needles for the entire match,” Haller said.
If the U.S. advance, the American Outlaws plan to continue hosting free watch parties at the Landmark and Wolff’s.