LAKEWOOD, Ohio — Banging on a large drum, Jason Gillette pumped up the crowd ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup match between the United States and Wales.
“We usually do it on corner kicks, we’ll do it when things get exciting, and we’ll do it when things are a little boring and we got to jazz ourselves up,” Gillette said.
He was one of several fans that gathered at Iggy’s Bar in northeast Ohio on Monday, Nov. 21 to watch the U.S. Men’s National Team take the field in the event for the first time since 2014. The bar is home to the Cleveland chapter of the American Outlaws, a group that Gillette leads as their president.
“American Outlaws are a nationwide group of soccer fans. We support the U.S. Men[‘s] and Women’s national teams. There are over 200 chapters throughout the country,” Gillette said.
While the group watched the sport that they love, they also raised money for a good cause.
“We’re doing a 50/50 raffle for America SCORES Cleveland, who does fitness and literacy for Cleveland-area school kids,” Gillette said. “We’re selling them for two bucks a pop, strips of 10 for 20 [dollars], and we’re hoping to get a lot of money for them today.”
It’s money that Alison Black, the executive director of America SCORES Cleveland, said will directly benefit their programming.
“We are free to all youth who are participating in our program and so they are raising funds so that we can continue to do what we do and expand in Cleveland,” Black said.
Besides giving back, Gillette said the gathering was also a chance to unite with people who love the same game.
“It’s really a community and brings a lot of people together. Folks are real passionate about the sport, even here in Cleveland, even in America. So it’s nice to get everyone together,” Gillette said.
Gillette said the Cleveland chapter of the American Outlaws plans to watch all the 2022 FIFA World Cup games that involve the United States at Iggy’s Bar.
