Soccer and Wilmington have had a close connection for years with the Hammerheads FC and their support club, the Port City Firm.

Now the bond is growing since Wilmington has its own chapter of the American Outlaws, the U.S.’s largest men’s and women’s national teams support club.

Matt Riggsbee, an IT professional by day, is the founder and president of Wilmington’s chapter. When he moved here he noticed the city’s support of soccer, but he also noticed the lack of an official Outlaws chapter.

“The president of the Firm and I were talking one time and we said, ‘Why doesn’t Wilmington have their own Outlaws chapter,’” Riggsbee said. “I took the reigns on it and started getting people to sign up.”

The National Organization requires that each group seeking to become an official chapter meet the requirements of 25 paying members, something that Riggsbee, with the help of some Port City Firm members, had no problem doing.

“When we started [summer of 2013], there was the Gold Cup happening in the summer, which the US was on their way to winning, so everyone and their mothers were starting chapters,” Riggsbee said.

In August 2013, the national chapter placed Wilmington on its waitlist for official membership—the final step before becoming a chapter. At the time, there were 87 chapters across the country, but that quickly changed.

In December 2013, Wilmington became the 111th American Outlaws chapter, and since there have been an additional nine chapters formed, bringing the number to 120 chapters nationwide.

Courts and Sports Bar and Grill is the host of all the Outlaws viewing parties, a decision that Riggsbee made after looking around town at various bars and restaurants.

“[Courts and Sports] has been really helpful, always making sure we have what we need to get the matches going,” Riggsbee said. “They’ll open the restaurant early for us, so we can get in here early and set up.”

The Outlaws have viewing parties for every match the U.S. national team plays, though some draw bigger crowds than others.

With the 2014 World Cup only a few months away excitement is building, and if 2010 was any indication, soccer’s popularity will continue to rise before, during, and after the event.

“When the US is playing,” Riggsbee said, “you’ll probably see the whole bar [packed] because every time it’s the World Cup there is a huge influx of soccer fans and Outlaws.”

For anyone that may be on the fence about soccer or the American Outlaws, Riggsbee has a simple message.

“The best way to get someone to be a soccer fan is take them to a match. Put them in the supporters section, and after that it’s pretty much a done deal.”

All Outlaws events are open to both members and nonmembers, and moving forward there will be a lot more opportunities to come see the camaraderie and passion of the Outlaws.

On Sat. March 22 at 6:00 p.m., UNCW plays the Hammerheads in a preseason match at Legion Stadium (admission is free). Both the Outlaws and the Port City Firm will be there kicking things off at the tailgate before the game.

The next opportunity to watch the U.S. men’s national team is on Wed. April 2 when they take on Mexico. It’s a great chance to see what the American Outlaws and the national team are about.