O'Brien's Pub owner and American Outlaw member Tom Nickel shows off the club's new scarf

U.S. Soccer News: American Outlaws and O’Brien’s Pub to Celebrate and Support U.S. Men’s National Team

With two key matches coming up for the U.S. Men’s National Team as they attempt to reach the CONCACAF Qualifying final round, American Outlaws San Diego Chapter and O’Brien’s Pub are preparing to celebrate and support the squad. The pub, which was voted 2011 U.S. Soccer Bar of the Year, will host watch parties on Friday, October 12, and Tuesday, October 16. The Outlaws will be on hand to lend their special brand of rowdiness to both evenings.

The first game will pit the USA against Antigua & Barbuda at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on the island of Antigua. While the Americans are heavily favored to win, losses of four key players to injuries and illness have put a question mark on those odds. Landon Donovan, Brek Shea and Edgar Castillo have all been ruled out due to various injuries, and Fabian Johnson will miss the game with the flu. On the other side, Antigua & Barbuda will be without the services of Mikele Leigertwood and Marvin McCoy.

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium is an interesting venue, in that it was originally built for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The field has come in for its share of controversy, particularly after a 2009 match was abandoned due to unstable conditions. The field reportedly has so much sand on it that it has been nicknamed Antigua’s 366th Beach.

The second match will see the USMNT hosting Guatemala in what could be the pivotal game of the semifinals. The two countries are currently tied at the top of Group A, with six points and a +2 goal differential. Jamaica sits just behind with six points and a +1 differential. Guatemala will host Jamaica on Friday, so more will be known about the importance of the Tuesday match after that.

The game Friday will be broadcast by beIN SPORT, which is available on DIRECTV and DISH Network and carried by O’Brien’s Pub. The game starts at 4:00 p.m. PT, but with the American Outlaws on hand the fun will begin much earlier. Tuesday’s game will be broadcast on ESPN2 beginning at 4:00 p.m. from LIVESTRONG Park in Kansas City.

As part of the celebration, and in honor of the pub’s Soccer Bar of the Year award, O’Brien’s will debut new pint glasses that feature the American Outlaws’ logo on one side and O’Brien’s logo on the other. In a nod to the award, the O’Brien’s lion will hold a soccer ball instead of a beer mug. The American Outlaws will have their new scarf available for purchase, and soccer fans are always welcome to join the club as full members.

In addition to the USMNT Games, O’Brien’s will have a full slate of international soccer on the two nights.

FRIDAY, 10/12 Matches:

11:00 am - Belarus v. Spain - ESPND
11:45 am - Ireland v. Germany - Gol TV
Noon - England v. San Marino - FSC
1:00  pm - Armenia v. Italy - ESPND
1:30 pm- Faroe Islands v. Sweden - Gol TV
1:50 pm- Ecuadro v. Chile - beIN Sport
3:00  pm - Netherlands v. Andorra - ESPND
4:00  pm - Antigua & Barbuda v. USA - beIN Sport, replay at 11:30 pm and 6:30 pm Saturday
6:00  pm - Guyana v. Mexico - ESPND, Telemundo
7:00  pm - Guatemala v. Jamaica - beIN Sport
8:00  pm - U21 Euro Qualifier - England v. Serbia - FSC
9:30 pm - Argentina v. Uruguay - beIN Sport

TUESDAY, 10/16 Matches:

11:55 am - Spain v. France - ESPN2
12:55 pm - Bolivia v. Uruguay - beIN Sport
3:30 pm (4 pm kick off) - USA v. Guatemala - ESPN2
7:30 pm - Honduras v. Canada - beIN Sport
9:30 pm - Jamaica v. Antigua and Barbuda - beIN Sport
More matches TBA

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