When U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) midfielder Jermaine Jones scored the 64th-minute equalizer against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Fado Irish Pub in Mary Brickell Village erupted in cheers. It seemed like an upset for the ages.
But then, a half hour later, Silvestre Varela tied the game in stoppage time, and the victory became a tie. The excitement stopped.
In that moment of disbelief, Eric Corey fell out of the second story window of the restaurant.
“It was one of the best and worst days of my life,” said Corey, who was unhurt but chastened by the event. “The bad news is the game ended in a tie. The good news is I wasn’t hurt.”
Corey is the founder of the Miami chapter of American Outlaws, a 15-year-old Nebraska-based soccer fan group that has come into focus this week as the World Cup begins in the United States. In its first match, the U.S. beat Paraguay 4-1 on Friday night.
American Outlaws started in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2007, the same year the great English midfielder David Beckham came to the U.S. to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Corey and his twin brother, Brian, began the Miami branch four years later.
“One of our original goals was to not be outnumbered by Colombians, Mexicans, Ecuadorians and fans of other national teams when we were hosting these watch parties throughout Miami,” said Corey.
Beckham, with partner Jorge Mas Jr., began lobbying Miami-Dade leaders for a soccer team that would become Inter Miami CF in 2013. The Corey brothers helped in the effort.
Since then, members of the Miami Outlaws chapter have gone to several different games to support the national teams, whether it’d be for friendlies or major tournaments.
In June 2014, 20 Outlaws squeezed onto a bus to Jacksonville to watch the U.S. men take on Nigeria at EverBank Stadium. They chanted and sang the whole way. It was the team’s send-off match before the start of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The U.S. won 2-1 after striker Jozy Altidore scored a brace.
“It’s a core memory for sure,” said Alex de Gracia, the vice president of the chapter. “The air [conditioning] in the bus broke and we were hungover, so that was definitely an experience.”
De Gracia himself has attended many other games over the years in different countries, including USA versus Germany at 2014 FIFA World Cup in Recife, USA versus Iran and the Netherlands at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and the USA women’s team versus Brazil gold medal match at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Sarah Seavey joined the American Outlaws in the early 2020s and became the president last year.
“The community aspect in Miami is one of the things I love,” said Seavey. “Finding this group of people and finding the American Outlaws chapter was a place where I found people who love soccer as well. It became kind of like a home for me.”
Soccer’s popularity grew over the next few years. Inter Miami started playing in 2020 and signed Argentine superstar Lionel Messi in 2023. Though the Outlaws are not part of the Inter Miami supporters group, they gained momentum as soccer mania took over the region.
A lot goes into all American Outlaws chapters, not just the one in Miami. If there’s one thing the group is famous for, it’s the chants. “U-S-A” with clapping, singing Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” Lil Jon’s “Shots” during corner kicks and “America the Beautiful.”
“Eric leads the chants and the fans practice them,” said de Gracia. “People learn all the chants as the friendlies and tournaments go on, and there’s definitely a patriotic feel to it.”
Adds Seavey: “Typically there’s a chant leader in the front with drums. The first few rows are typically people who are familiar with the chants and can have that kind of craftsmanship.”
Among the many chants that make the supporters group recognizable is an iconic one: I Believe That We Will Win.
It was originally a chant that started at the United States Naval Academy in 1998, and American Outlaws co-founder Justin Brunken heard it during a Sporting Kansas City match. While the usage of the chant has dissolved over the years, it is still famous. Legendary Miami rapper Pitbull made a song out of it.
“That one is my favorite because it’s a call and response, so it’s really easy for people to learn,” said Seavey. “And ‘I believe that we will win’ gets people excited and it’s inspiring for sure.”
Beyond supporting the national teams, American Outlaws formed AO Impact, which helps provide funding for youth soccer clubs across the country and tackle the ongoing issue of pay-to-play in youth soccer, connecting members of the chapters with different organizations.
“We’re trying to do as much as we can to support the access to soccer in Miami,” said Seavey. “It takes a lot of people to join now when there’s still things to figure out that will help us grow stronger.”
Corey says a lot of college-aged kids are starting to join the American Outlaws.
“I do like the young generation coming in, especially the younger, second generation Cuban-Americans,” said Corey. “You’re seeing a little bit more of that U.S. Soccer pride is growing.”
To become a member of American Outlaws, it is $30 to join and $36 with shipping, and everyone receives a welcome packet.
No matter how the USMNT finishes in this year’s FIFA World Cup, it’s not just about the support, it’s about building a community and finding new people to cheer on the team with.
