A whole lot of nothing.
Reports on Tuesday night that alleged that Seattle fans were put in charge of organizing the American Outlaws USMNT supporters group, beginning with the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Mexico on Sept. 10, are "false," "inaccurate" and "incorrect."
That's according to official statements issued by the US Soccer Federation and the American Outlaws on Wednesday afternoon.
"Reports that state US Soccer and AO have put the Seattle AO chapter in charge of the supporters section for this game, or any in the future, is inaccurate," read a statement from US Soccer.
"AO Seattle [Seattle chapter of the American Outlaws] is not being tasked to take over the in-stadium experience for this or any future USMNT games outside Seattle," said an American Outlaws statement. "A Seattle takeover of tifo and singing at all USMNT games has never been the plan or intention and any reports of such are false.
"The tifo at this crucial qualifier will be organized and run by AO Columbus and local supporters."
But the American Outlaws did admit that the unprecedented gathering of 9,000 USMNT supporters at a sold-out Columbus Crew Stadium, including more than 20 USMNT supporters sections, has "created unique challenges" to organize a unified USMNT supporters experience.
For this reason the organization revealed that it has recruited an estimated 14 "capos" (supporters group leaders) from across the country to volunteer as leaders for the various US supporter sections in Columbus with the hope of avoiding scenarios like dueling chants. And contrary to Tuesday reports, both US Soccer and the American Outlaws confirmed that these capos will be paying their own way to Columbus.
"We had several AO members step up and answer the call, offering to organize the supporters sections for this very important game. One of the members stepping up happened to be from Seattle," the American Outlaws said in their statement. "The need for experienced capos grows as supporters sections at USMNT games, particularly qualifiers and Gold Cup matches, increase in size."
