AO: Austin 2011

December 9, 2011

Here’s a look back at everything we did in 2011…

We held 19 watch parties at Fado Irish Pub in downtown Austin for international friendlies played by the US Men’s National Team, the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the 2011 Women’s World Cup.

Members of our chapter traveled to attend games in Boston, Kansas City, and Tampa, amongst others, and a whole crew of us headed down to Houston for the CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinals to cheer on the USA against Panama.

We held a pre-screening fundraiser for the documentary “Rise and Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story.” Look for our AO Chapter in the movie’s credits for the great work we did getting the project in theaters.

After the devastating wildfires here in Central Texas, we raised hundreds of dollars along with American Outlaws Chapters across the country and national AO leadership joined us in Bastrop this October to bring Little Feet soccer balls to youth players at Bob Bryant Park.

And finally, membership in our chapter nearly doubled over the course of 2011, breaking the 100-member mark. Thank you all for being a part of the American Outlaws here in Austin and sharing the experience of cheering on the USA with us, your friends, and your family. We wish you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons and we look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Dan Wiersema

Chris Billig

American Outlaws: Austin Chapter

November 1, 2011

THANK YOU!

Sunday was a great day at Bob Bryant Park in Bastrop.

It was an amazing reminder of what can happen when the American Outlaws community comes together to do good. It was an emotional day of both stories from those who have lost so much, and also the joy in children’s faces upon receiving new Little Feet soccer balls to call their own.

Thank you to everyone who donated soccer balls and other equipment in the runup to the event. Thank you to those who attended, from as far away as DFW, Houston, and AO National HQ. Thank you to Kim and Jackie, who did a huge amount of on the ground work to get the event going. Thank you to the City of Bastrop for supporting the event and the Fire Department for joining us.

You can check out AO’s report of the event, complete with photos from Dan.

Our soccer ball drop was not the end of our work in Bastrop. We were able to see where our Little Feet futsal pitch will be constructed at the park there, so please take a moment to donate a tile to make that project a reality!

October 19, 2011

Updates on the

Texas Wildfire Project

Our work continues to help youth soccer players in Central Texas.

We are thrilled to be having a Little Feet Soccer Ball Drop to Central Texas youth soccer players on Sunday, October 30.

There are two ways you can help make this event a success:

1) Continue to buy AO/Little Feet Balls at their website. Balls purchased will be part of the stockpile we use for our drop on the 30th. You can buy one for yourself and one for the youth, or make both balls a donation to the project.

2) We want this to be a big, special event for these young people who have been through so much over the last few months, so we want as big of a turnout as possible. We are nailing down the exact time and location, but RSVP here to receive updates and keep watching our Facebook and Twitter for details, including opportunities to meet AO leaders coming for the event.

The construction of a Little Feet futsal pitch will take place at a later date as we continue to secure funds to build the field. Stay tuned for details on that part of the project.

Thank you again for your help as we work to help those who have lost so much. Now more than ever, it’s a time to Unite and Strengthen.

* * *

We’ll be sending out our usual email at the beginning of November with news about match watching parties for the month and other events, but for information about those keep an eye on our website, Twitter, or Facebook.

Also, don’t forget that screenings of “Rise and Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story” begin November 3. A local youth player was a big part of making this movie happen! Find screenings here.

Bastrop Wildfire Project

October 4, 2011

Our preparation continues to construct a futsal pitch and hold a Little Feet soccer ball drop in Bastrop at the end of the month.

With over 2000 homes destroyed, this project is a way to provide young area players with a new playing space to enjoy as the community rebuilds.

There are a few ways you can help the project.

Buy some tiles that will be used to construct the pitch.

Buy an AO/Little Feet ball to be presented to a youth.

And finally you can help spread the word about this great project!

October USMNT Friendlies

October 4, 2011

vs. Honduras 10/8

vs. Ecuador 10/11

This Columbus Day Weekend is full of US Men’s National Team friendly action.

First up the USA takes on the current Copa Centroamericana champions Honduras in Miami, FL. A bunch of us saw them take on Mexico in Houston during the Gold Cup and this should shape up to be an exciting match.

Tuesday night we play Ecuador at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. Ecuador will be coming to New Jersey right after their first day of World Cup 2014 qualifying, playing Venezuela in their capital city this Friday.

Join the American Outlaws for all of the action at Fado, our chapter bar in downtown Austin.

The American Outlaws / Little Feet Texas Wildfire Project

September 22, 2011

It’s been a difficult few weeks for so many in Central Texas.We all have friends or family who have been affected in some way by the wildfires that have ripped through our region, including fellow members of the area soccer community.

One of our chapter members has taken over a Bastrop youth team for a coach who lost his home. Another has helped set up a Facebook page to help raise funds and collect equipment for players affected by the fire.

The American Outlaws and Little Feet are helping out as well. Over the next six weeks we will be collecting funds and supplies to build a futsal pitch in Bastrop the last week of October, for a dedication ceremony the final weekend of the month on the 30th. It’s a big undertaking that will take a great deal of money and energy to assemble. And of course we’ll also need a good turnout at the end the project to join in the field’s dedication and to enjoy it for the first time with local young players, part of which will be distributing Little Feet/American Outlaws soccer balls and other equipment.

How can you help? If you or your business can help the project with a financial gift, please contact The American Outlaws’ Brian Hexsel who is heading up the project at the national level. You can also help by donating Little Feet/American Outlaws soccer balls to be given to local youth players. For $30 you can either donate one uniquely designed Little Feet/AO ball to the youth and have one as a souvenir, or you can donate both to the project. Finally, stay tuned to our Twitter and Facebook over the coming weeks, as well as emails like this one next month, for information on how you can help construct the field the last week in October and be a part of its dedication on the 30th.

Thank you in advance for your help as we work to help those who have lost so much. Now more than ever, it’s a time to Unite and Strengthen.

September USMNT Friendlies

August 29, 2011

The USA climbed a few notches in FIFA rankings thanks to the August draw against Mexico, and the new Klinsmann era continues with a pair of Labor Day Weekend matches.

Things kick off Friday with the USA versus Costa Rica from the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. Costa Rica made it to the Quarterfinals in this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, but have only one win out of four matches since then, including their appearance in the Copa America.

The next match is the USA against Belgium at their home turf, the King Badouin Stadium in Brussels. The Red Devils are on something of a rebound currently, having qualified for the Euro 2012 tournament after missing out on the last two cycles.

As with every match, we will gather downtown at Fado Irish Pub at 214 E 4th Street, an Official US Soccer Bar. Bring a friend to their first soccer match to get them a free beer. Become a member yourself at the match for a free beer. All thanks to the Free Beer Movement. Fado has free wifi if you want to bring a laptop from the office for the Tuesday game!

USA vs. Mexico Watch Party

August 2, 2011

The USMNT news blew up at the end of last week and the new coach of the USA is Jürgen Klinsmann.

And Klinsmann has just 12 days from his hiring until his first friendly match with the team. And what a match it is, a rematch of the Gold Cup final against arch-rivals Mexico on Wednesday, August 10th.

Will the result be a disappointing repeat, or will the Yanks rise up under their new leader to rise to victory in Philadelphia? What will we learn about our new coach and what he has in store in his first outing? Come join us at Fado to cheer them on and take in the excitement of one of the greatest rivalries in soccer today.

“Rise and Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story” screening

June 28, 2011

Help get Jay DeMerit’s story told on the big screen! “Rise and Shine” tells of how Jay traveled to England in his early 20s with barely enough money to get by and a knapsack full of clothes to follow his dream of making it big in soccer. He rose through the ranks of the English leagues eventually making it to the EPL and joining the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The movie is nearly complete and ready for the Kicking and Screening Film Festival in New York in late July. But the filmmakers need our help to raise what they need to license match footage, add music, and begin marketing.

To help their efforts we’re holding a screening of “Rise and Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story” on July 6th at 8 PM. We’ll be having it at Draft Pick American Grill, 1620 East Riverside Drive, on their gigantic 16 foot by 9 foot HD screen. Attend the screening by purchasing a “ticket” at the event for a suggested donation of $10 with all proceeds going toward the film. See the movie, chow down on some popcorn, enjoy drink specials, and be entered into a drawing for some prizes.

Hope to see you there July 6th!

USA vs. Mexico Watch Party

June 24, 2011

From Dempsey’s backyard to Donovan’s, the final game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup is this Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.

Join us at Fado Saturday night at 8 PM. Come early to get a prime seat and make sure the bar is packed with USA supporters.

Bring a friend to experience a game with the Outlaws. If it’s their first soccer experience they get a free beer. Sign up for the Outlaws while at Fado and get a free beer. All thanks to our partnership with the Free Beer Movement.