Is the disease spreading? A case study of the American Outlaws

Abstract

The American Outlaws, a supporter group for the men’s and women’s National Soccer Teams for the United States, has been scarcely examined in academic literature. This research began to fill this void by analysing articles written about the American Outlaws via a textual analysis. This research uncovered if the American Outlaws were exhibiting behaviours similar to those found in hooligan groups, or firms abroad. Texts that were analysed included members’ experiences (current or former, male or female) and reports of the American Outlaws during competitions or group gatherings in various settings. Themes from this analysis included organizational development, passion, non-aggressor violence, beer, and harassment. The implications of these results are discussed in further detail. This article concludes with implications for the American Outlaws organization in its current state, as well as a call for the leadership committee within the American Outlaws to reduce the fraternity atmosphere associated with the organization.

Notes

1. Davis, “The Growing Pains of U.S. Soccer’s Dominant Supporter’s Group.”

2. The American Outlaws, About Section.

3. Tyler, “Fan Communities and Subgroups,” 1–189.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Radmann, “Hooligans,” 548–63.

7. Schmittel and Sanderson, “Talking About Trayvon in 140 Characters,” 332–45.

8. Erhart, “United in Protest,” 1724–38; Nielsen, “Stronger than the State? Football Hooliganism, Political Extremism and the Gay Pride Parades in Serbia,” 1038–53.

9. Ibid.

10. Erhart, “United in Protest,” 1724–38.

11. Tyler, “Fan Communities and Subgroups,” 1–189.

12. Erhart, “United in Protest,” 1724–38; Nielsen, “Stronger than the State? Football Hooliganism, Political Extremism and the Gay Pride Parades in Serbia,” 1038–53; Tyler, “Fan Communities and Subgroups,” 1–189.

13. Ibid.

14. Bodin and Robene, “Hooligans, Casuals, independents,” 2013–33.

15. Ibid.

16. Radmann, “Hooligans,” 548–63.

17. Ibid.

18. Rookwood and Pearson, “The Hoolifan,” 149–64.

19. Ibid.

20. Crawford, “Consuming Sport,” 124–39; Poulton, “‘Fantasy Football Hooliganism’ in Popular Media,” 151–64; Thornton, Casuals: Football, Fighting and Fashion.

21. Crabbe, “The Public Gets What the Public Wants,” 413–25.

22. See Fafinski’s Chapter, “In the back of the net,” 109–27.

23. Poulton, “Toward a Cultural Sociology of the Consumption of ‘Fantasy Football Hooliganism,’” 331–49.

24. Crawford, “Consuming Sport,” 124–39.

25. Armstrong, Football Hooligans.

26. Redhead, “This Sporting Life,” 90–108; Redhead, “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Hooligans,” 627–42.

27. Benkwitz and Molnar, “Interpreting and Exploring Football Fan Rivalries,” 1–4; Bodin and Robene, “Hooligans, Casuals, independents,” 2013–33; Poulton, “‘Fantasy Football Hooliganism’ in Popular Media,” 151–64; Poulton, “Toward a Cultural Sociology of the Consumption of ‘Fantasy Football Hooliganism,’” 331–49; Ibid.; Redhead, “This Sporting Life,” 90–108; Redhead, “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Hooligans,” 627–42.; Rookwood and Pearson, “The Hoolifan,” 149–64.

28. Schmittel and Sanderson, “Talking About Trayvon in 140 Characters,” 332–45.

29. Strauss and Corbin, Basics of Qualitative Research.

30. Schmittel and Sanderson, “Talking About Trayvon in 140 Characters: Exploring NFL Players’ Tweets About the George Zimmerman Verdict,” 332–45; Suter et al., “Lesbian Couples’ Management of Public-Private Dialectical Contradictions,” 349–65.

31. Vincent and Crossman, “Our Game Our Gold,” 97–117.

32. Gee, “The Culture of Alcohol Sponsorship during the 2011 Rugby World Cup,” 912–30.

33. Tyler, “Fan Communities and Subgroups,” 1–189.

34. Rigg, “American Outlaws Providing Face, Voice to Amalgamated Identity of American Soccer Fans.”

35. The American Outlaws, About Section.

36. Ibid.

37. Lyall, “As World Cup Nears, American ‘Football’ Fans Adapt Foreign Traditions.”

38. Hyde, “Outlaws From the U.S. Run Amok at the World Cup.”

39. Sprague, “Adams ‘American Outlaws’ Chapter Celebrates U.S. Win in World Cup Opener.”

40. Berkman, “World Cup Fever.”

41. Ibid.

42. Clare, “The Rise and Rise of the American Outlaws.”

43. Ibid.

44. Ibid.

45. Berkman, “World Cup Fever.”

46. Geli, “Local Fans in a Frenzy over U.S. Matches in the World Cup.”

47. Bachman, “How a U.S. Soccer Fan Travels to Brazil.”

48. Waysdorf, “My Football Fandoms, Performance, and Place.”

49. Ibid.

50. Meraji, “For Women’s World Cup, U.S. Soccer Fans Kick It Up A Notch.”

51. Ibid.

52. Berkman, “World Cup Fever.”

53. Ibid.

54. Hyde, “Outlaws From the U.S. Run Amok at the World Cup.”

55. Ibid.

56. Davis, “The Growing Pains of U.S. Soccer’s Dominant Supporter’s Group.”

57. Ibid.

58. Clare, “The Rise and Rise of the American Outlaws.”

59. Davis, “The Growing Pains of U.S. Soccer’s Dominant Supporter’s Group.”

60. Ibid.

61. Geli, “Local Fans in a Frenzy over U.S. Matches in the World Cup.”

62. Ibid.

63. Ibid.

64. Ibid.

65. Ibid.

66. Wann et al., Sport Fans.

67. Giulianotti et al., Football, Violence, and Social Identity; Giulianotti, “Football and the Politics of Carnival,” 191–220.

68. Tyler, “Fan Communities and Subgroups,” 1–189.

69. Ibid.