Providence American Outlaws Encouraged by World Cup Progress

Providence American Outlaws Encouraged by World Cup Progress

The United States has been eliminated from the 2014 World Cup, but the ever-supportive American Outlaws are holding their heads high and looking forward to the future of U.S. Soccer as they recover from the heartache of defeat.

“This is the last 4 years of my life that I invested in this thing- in the American Outlaws, in going to games, supporting the national team, being there at Spats- it’s kind of bittersweet to see the end product, said AO Providence Chapter Vice President Brendan Schimmel.  “It’s like a chapter of your life every 4 years, every World Cup.”

“I’m pretty happy with it overall,” said AO Providence Chapter President Kyle Lindsay on the national team performance and the rising interest in the sport here at home.  “It proves that soccer is here…it’s been here.”

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According to Lindsay, over 5,000 people across the United States joined the American Outlaws in the first week of World Cup action.

“From last year to this year, there’s been a huge growth,” Lindsay said.  “And we see it in Providence too.  We are a soccer community.”

Schimmel has also noticed the rising popularity of soccer both locally and nationally.  He said the success of this World Cup will continue to elevate soccer’s popularity in the United States.

“Ultimately it’s a progression for U.S. Soccer, it’s not a regression,” said Schimmel.  “We captivated the nation, and I don’t know how many new soccer fans we’ll bring to the sport, to the MLS or any other pro leagues, but I know it’ll be more than zero, so that’s progress.”