With the new season kicking off, JayC (@nosajpersonlah) picks his favourite jerseys from the US&A.
I’ll admit it. The only reason why I’m remotely interested in the MLS has been due to the resurgence of Wayne Rooney, as well as Zlatan Ibrahimović’s move to LA Galaxy. Things are spicing up further in the MLS with well-known names such as Luis Nani, Carlos Vela and Bastian Schweinsteiger all competing to lift the 2019 MLS Cup.
Unlike other leagues where individual clubs would negotiate their own kit deals, the MLS negotiates a kit deal for the league as a whole, and recently extended that deal with adidas until 2026. This gives the three stripes the ability to give each club the bespoke treatment for their jerseys. Think more Sporting Kansas City and less like cookie cutter designs on the likes of Hamburg’s jersey.
Here are 5 of our favourite MLS jerseys for the upcoming 2019/20 season:
1) New York Red Bulls Home Jersey
Named the ‘glitch’ kit, NYRB’s secondary kit is probably one of the more unique looking ones out there in world football. In fact, the glitch pattern on the front is actually made up of the words “fight,” “passion,” “love,” and “glory.”
NYRB will be hoping that these values can help new head coach Chris Armas take the team into the play-offs this season.
2) Orlando City SC Home Kit
Being the only team in the MLS to wear purple means that the Orlando jersey jumps out immediately. I love the textured patterns on the front of the jersey which breaks up the monotony of a plain purple base colour. No, I did not pick this kit just because Luis Nani is there.
Well, maybe a teeny bit.
3) Real Salt Lake Away Jersey
MLS has about 7 or so teams wearing a white kit but I’ve got no complaints if adidas are customising them with modern designs like this.
As a nod to Utah being a “beehive state”, the kit also has a beehive graphic on the bottom right of the front along with an “05”, signifying the year RSL joined the league. Buzz.
4) Seattle Sounders Away Jersey
Perhaps my favourite on this list, Seattle Sounders’ “Nightfall” jersey draws inspiration from the Seattle sunset during the Cascadia Cup five years ago. The black and pink combo just works and is perfectly complemented by the pink bars on the side of the jersey.
Take a bow Seattle Sounders. Take a bow.
5) Chicago Fire Home Kit
Featuring new sponsor Motorola, Chicago Fire have launched a new home and away jersey, which are pretty much a reverse colour swap with each other.
On the home jersey though, the white bar across the centre does a good job of breaking up the monotony of a full red kit. Throw in the EQT inspired collar and white trimmings and Chicago Fire have got a jersey I’d be happy to wear out on the streets. The more eagle-eyed among you might also spot an older, customised boot in there too ????.
Honourable mention: LAFC Home Jersey
Alright, so I’m technically cheating here since LAFC is reusing their home kit from the 2018 season. But Black and Gold as a colour combination rarely goes wrong, and the LAFC home kit is just another example of how gorgeous it can be when done right.
It’s almost good enough to cover off that obnoxious YouTube logo.
