The Chant Everyone Knows—And Many Love to Hate
For years, the defining sound of American soccer fandom has been the slow, building crescendo of "I Believe That We Will Win!". Originating at the Naval Academy Preparatory School in 1998, it became a national rallying cry during the 2014 World Cup. To
its credit, the chant is simple, optimistic, and easy for a sprawling, diverse fanbase to learn. But for a growing number of hardcore supporters, that simplicity is the problem. Critics, both domestic and international, deride it as generic, uninspired, and more fitting for a high school pep rally than the world's biggest soccer stage. Former NFL star Jason Kelce famously called it a "loser mentality chant," arguing it conveys hope rather than the intimidating confidence seen in the songs of powerhouse soccer nations. As American soccer culture matures, fans are asking if believing is enough, or if it's time to sing about knowing.
The Push for a Unique American Songbook
The cringe factor is a powerful motivator. U.S. fans have been mocked online by European and South American supporters for chants that feel recycled and lack the clever, cutting, or deeply historical nature of traditional football songs. This has sparked a movement, largely online and within supporters' groups like the American Outlaws, to cultivate a more distinctive voice. The goal is to move beyond generic declarations like "U-S-A!" and borrow less from other American sports. The challenge is significant. Unlike in Europe, where club chants are passed down for generations, the U.S. lacks a long, continuous professional soccer history. Furthermore, the sheer size of the country makes it difficult to coordinate and popularize new material across a fanbase that only gathers in full force every few years.
MLS Supporters' Groups as the New Tastemakers
The most promising engine for change is Major League Soccer. For over two decades, MLS supporters' groups in cities like Portland, Atlanta, and Los Angeles have been developing their own vibrant, original chant cultures. These groups have become labs for American soccer creativity, blending global fan traditions with local flavor. They practice weekly, workshop new songs, and create the kind of intense, 90-minute atmosphere that many hope to replicate at USMNT games. As these fans bring their passion and higher expectations to the national team stage, they are naturally influencing the sound. They are accustomed to more complex, often player-specific songs and are less content with the old, generic standbys. This infusion of experienced chanters could be the key to finally establishing a more sophisticated and intimidating home-field advantage.
What Might the Future Sound Like?
So, what will the stadiums of 2026 actually sound like? The evolution will likely be a mix of old, new, and borrowed. Efforts are underway to adapt classic American folk and pop songs, from Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" to Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," for players like Folarin Balogun. There's also a push for more swagger. A chant proposed by a fan dressed as George Washington—"13 stripes, 50 stars, we don't care who the f*** you are"—went viral after getting a nod from Jason Kelce and Alex Morgan, capturing a desire for more attitude. Whether it's through humor, repurposed pop hits, or a more aggressive edge, the one certainty is a desire for chants that feel authentic to the fans singing them. The sound of 2026 won't just be about cheering on a team; it will be the sound of American soccer culture defining itself on the world's stage.
