Diane Scavuzzo
Posted: Thursday, August 26, 2010 8:17 am

Are you a soccer fan?  As America’s passion for soccer deepens, soccer fan groups are becoming popular.  Watching soccer surrounded by cheering fans is fun. Sharing the anticipation, discussing the action and, hopefully celebrating the final score is a social event. Viewing parties have become very popular in San Diego and Orange country.  All of us at SoccerNation know that being a fan is more exciting when you are around others, so we are launching a new section called Fan Corner.

Fan Corner will offer info for soccer fans in Southern California on organizations and events.   David Chamberlain, one of SoccerNation’s readers suggested this column and I think it is a great idea.

Among the most dedicated and organized, the San Diego American Outlaws was founded 2009 and has 95 members. Their home bar is "O'Brien's American Pub", the Only Official U,S. Soccer Bar in California.  Viewing parties are held at O'Brien’s and the San Diego American Outlaws even arrange bus trips to LA for soccer matches.   

David Chamberlain is the president of the San Diego chapter of the American Outlaws and hopes soccer fans will reach out and discover the joys of sharing the “love of the game” together.  For more information on how you can join or participate with the San Diego American Outlaws, please visit http://sandiego.theamericanoutlaws.com or keep up with what is happening on twitter http://twitter.com/Sandiegooutlaws or Facebook http://facebook.com/AOSandiego.

The San Diego American Outlaws are part of National Group call "the American Outlaws".  Their website is professional and offers information on upcoming soccer games for fans all across America. Their mission is to support the United States National Team through a unified and dedicated group of supporters.

The group originally started in Lincoln, NE as a local supporters group, throwing viewing parties at local bars and attending every soccer game possible. 

According to Chamberlain, “What makes being a US Soccer fan so great is -- well everything. When you travel to a match to see the US Play, you meet people from all over Boston, St Louis, Detroit, Houston, even Alaska. Gameday goes like this, We meet up at a Pub, drink, sing, march to the match, tailgate, watch the US, sing, drink, and after the match go back to the Pub. You make friends from all over and you see the world.”

“This year I went to the World Cup. Its something everyone should do. Besides touring a beautiful country and meeting the people of the South Africa who were nice, warm and genuinely happy to see us, the excitement of the World Cup was beyond any expectation. I got to see the U.S vs Algeria match. It was amazing,” says Chamberlain

“I would also go to a place call Melrose Arch, where the they had a viewing party. Its was huge Plaza with a Monster TV with 3 Restaurants around it. I would get a Table with about eight seats. Then I would ask people to join me. People from England, Brazil, Japan and around the world. Sharing wine, stories and a love for the game.”

Sounds like fun.  What a great way to explore the world, connect with other people who share the passion for soccer and support the sport we all love.  Thanks David Chamberlain for suggesting this new Fan Corner! 

If you are a soccer fan, send us your experience, fan club info and suggestions for enjoying the game of soccer.  How do you enjoy watching soccer games? What is your favorite sports spot in San Diego, Orange Country and or LA? Send your soccer news to News@SoccerNation.com. 

Thanks!  And, thanks for reading my column and visiting SoccerNation, the best source for local youth to pro soccer news in Southern California.  We are working hard to provide you with the best soccer site possible.

Diane Scavuzzo, Editor in Chief