How this World Cup restored Springfield group's confidence in U.S. men's soccer

Zach Rambach has been to some of the biggest sporting events in his lifetime.

None just seem to compare to the World Cup.

“I've been to a couple Super Bowl games and I've been to the Cubs' World Series,” Rambach said. “But you don't really understand just how bigger soccer is in the world until you have the privilege to see a World Cup game and how passionate and how big that sport is compared to any other sport, including football, baseball and basketball.”

Rambach, one of the founding members of the American Outlaws Land of Lincoln chapter in 2014, is more than gratified to see the U.S. men’s soccer team back in it.

The local Outlaws group will once again summon any and all supporters for a watch party at its home base, The Alamo sports bar in downtown Springfield, beginning at 1 p.m. on Monday for the Americans’ opening match against Wales in Qatar.

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Doors will open at noon and Corey Kates, of INB, will provide free pizza for the opening match.

Watch parties are also scheduled at the 115 N. 5th Street location for the other two U.S. group stage games slated for 1 p.m. against England on Friday, Nov. 25 and Iran on Tuesday, Nov. 29 — not to mention the knockout stage games if the team advances.

“You don't realize how painful it is until you watch a World Cup without your country being represented,” Rambach said. “Especially because we had such a positive showing in the previous ones in the 2014 World Cup that felt like we were going to build on that success and then we kind of took a little bit of a step back — a wake-up call.

“I wouldn't say if we're going to win it, but I think we can shock some teams and shock the world a little bit if you want to say and we should hopefully advance to the knockout stage.”

Seeing it first-hand

Rambach would know.

He traveled to the World Cup with a few friends eight years ago in Brazil and attended the U.S. match against eventual winner Germany.

“When you say the words bucket list, it really was one of those times where you kind of had to pinch yourself,” Rambach said. “To watch the USA-Germany game is pretty awesome in itself, but to travel across the world to watch it in Brazil, which a lot of people say is the mecca of soccer, it truly was one of those bucket-list experiences and I just remember every moment of it, and the atmosphere and the excitement that builds up.

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“Even though as expected, USA lost, all the fans kind of felt as if we won because we gave them a good game. It was just the excitement of being on the biggest world stage of soccer and playing a team like Germany.”

The downpour was an afterthought.

“We were drenched but all smiles,” Rambach recalled. “It didn’t matter because we were there.”

Temporary disappointment

Rambach and state rep. Tim Butler connected with owner Barry Friedman at The Alamo and the Outlaws hosted their first viewing party there in 2013. Other founding members include Drew Hall and Travis Taylor.

The U.S. won the women’s World Cup in 2019 but the men’s team missing out on Russia in 2018 proved to be a demoralizing setback.

“The American Outlaws are this great supporter group across the country,” said Butler, president of the Land of Lincoln chapter. “I've been involved with them since I don't know, I think 2008 or 2009. A lot of these supporter groups really fell off a little bit when the men didn't make the World Cup because there's so much focus in the soccer world around the World Cup. I think a lot of us were disappointed and it's been a little bit of a struggle to make sure people want to stay involved with the group and everything. But for me personally, I love traveling to U.S. games.

“I was at the U.S.-Mexico game a year ago in November in Cincinnati, that was a great win as part of the qualifying. It's so much fun to see these guys in action, and I'm glad we're back there because it just really piques my interest and gets me excited to see the U.S. play.”

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Confidence swells for the future

Both Rambach and Butler remain resolute about the future of U.S. soccer. This particular team bolsters their optimism.

“I think the sport has really grown over the last three decades since the U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994,” Butler said. “Major League Soccer has been a huge part of that.

“It's a good group of young players that don't just play now in the United States. They play around the world on the best teams in the world.”

That, in turn, inspires younger generations, Butler said.

“I stopped playing soccer when I was in eighth grade, but I think kids playing soccer today, they can look up to guys like Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and Weston McKinnie and see themselves down the road playing either for Major League Soccer or playing in the big leagues around the world,” Butler said. “I think that's really what this team brings is a lot of excitement to younger kids to get involved in the sport and hopefully continue to grow the sport the United States.”

That could exponentially enhance with the 2026 World Cup slated to come to the U.S., Mexico and Canada. That field will expand from 32 teams to 48.

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“It's gigantic and it shows you that we are evolving just as a soccer nation,” said Rambach, who contributes as a coach in the Springfield Area Soccer Association and YMCA. “It's exciting not only to have it back in the United States, but to also kind of share it with Mexico and Canada because they have some amazing stadiums and places to visit. I think it's going to be a huge success and should lead to some opportunities in the future.”

Butler said the ensuing World Cup will no doubt be a fun celebration.

“I think everything is coming together with the talent that we have in the United States combined with bringing the tournament back in the United States really gives us an opportunity to really, I think hopefully in 2026, talk legitimately about being a contender for a World Cup title,” Butler said.

“And beyond that, it's going to be the 250th celebration of the United States itself. It's the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. There's a lot of great stuff going on that we're going to be able to celebrate. I know a lot of us are really anticipating hopefully having great crowds here locally to watch games but also being able to travel to some of these games.”

As for this World Cup, Rambach encourages anyone to watch the games. That’s even if you’re not a soccer fan. Maybe it might kindle some newfound interest in soccer.

“As I've told several people over the years, it's the closest thing I think you're going to get to the Miracle on Ice is seeing the U.S. men's soccer team play,” Butler said. “It's such a great celebration of the United States and it's always a fun time to see them play.”

Contact Bill Welt: (217) 788-1545, bill.welt@sj-r.com, Twitter.com/BillWelt

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: World Cup USMNT appearance buoys American Outlaws in Springfield, IL