The new seasons MLS shirts were finally released at an event in New York this week. This event was the kick off for the MLS's 25th season which begins on the 29th February so we don't have much longer to wait to see who is going to make an impact & if Orlando will finally pick back up and do any better than last season. The shirts are fashioned on the 1996 season when the MLS began & all the shirts have the classic 3 stripes across the shoulder but each is adapted to fit the kit nicely.
Atlanta - The kings kit - Nice and simple with the white and gold. The shirt still subtly features the 5 stripes but keeps in with the simplicity. The details I love how the stripes are gold to fit in with the detailing and how just the little details add the character to the shirt. The little United & conquer coin on the jock tag, along with the Atlanta spike icon on the back of the shirts neck, just add the City's personality to the shirt.
Colorado Rapids - The Nine Six - The shirt is burgundy with sky blue accents which if made right could work really well together. The Rapids are one of the league's founding clubs and to commemorate this the shirt will carry the silver nine-star founding club mark that will be exclusive to authentic shirts of the founding clubs. This shirt also features the recent editions of the Colorado stage flag on the jock tag along with the state flag's C on the back neck.
Columbus Crew - This shirt is in the black just like what the Crew have worn in recent years. However, this year it will have a bit of a different look as it will have a checkerboard print to match the checkerboard pattern of the clubs badge. Again as they are one of the founding clubs the shirt will also feature the silver nine-star. Another element on this 'Heritage' shirt is the state of Ohio on the back neck with a star representing the city of Columbus.
FC Cincinnati - Bold kit - It seems that 2020 is a fresh start for FC Cincinnati, this season they will be wearing a 'Bold Kit' which a half-half shirt. It is in a navy & royal blue colour with the orange 3 stripes on the shoulder. There are a few other features on this jersey such as the Juncta Juvant (Strength in Unity) motto that is on the inside of the neck tape & the raised crown at the back which is part of the clubs badge.
DC United - D.C. United are back in the same colours this season as they were in for the 1996 season. With three white stripes running across the shoulders and red on the bottom of the sleeves this shirt looks great. As they are another founding club this shirt will also feature the silver nine-star along with D.C. United in a bold white lettering across the back neck. The front also has the Unite the District jock tag on the front. A classic black, white and red shirt is just what you like to see.
FC Dallas - The Legacy EQT shirt is designed to celebrate the club history of FC Dallas. With a hoop design which they have had in previous years mixed with the clubs main red and blue colours. FC Dallas also get one of the silver nine-stars as a nod to FCD's charter-member status. There is the Texas state flag is on the back neckline of the shirt & the LH patch will be on the front of the shirt to remember their late owner Lamar Hunt.
Houston Dynamo - With what looks to be a new-look Dynamo under first-year manager Tab Ramos the club are also launching a new HTX 15 shirt to go along with the occasion. The design is an upgraded version of the black shirt Dynamo wore last season. It has the 3 orange stripes on the shoulder and has an orange graphic print across the black fabric which is apparently designed to represent a city that never sleeps. It is definitely a shirt that will send your eyes funny after while but I quite like it. This shirt also has the Texas state flag on the lower jock tag.
LA Galaxy - LA Galaxy are another one of the founding clubs for the MLS so their shirt will also feature the silver nine-star mark. Galaxy will be celebrating the 25th season of the MLS in a classic white shirt with a silver sash design. Also in the silver will be the three Adidas stripes over the shoulder. The shirt will also feature 5 stars above the crest to represent the clubs record of 5 MLS Cups.
Inter Miami FC- The club part owned by footballing legend David Beckham will make their MLS debut in 2020. Their first away jersey is black with a bit of pink to add the mark of South Florida. After looking at pictures of Beckham in the stadium in Fort Lauderdale this pink will match perfectly with the seats of the stadium too. The stripes on the shoulder are also in pink, in keep with the pink & black simple design. To be honest I am a little let down by this as their 1st away shirt.
Sporting Kansas City - Another club who will have the founding club mark is Sporting Kansas City. They will also have a new dark indigo & sporting blue-dotted kit. This was apparently inspired by the iconic silver metal fins that make up the of Children's Mercy Park.
LAFC - Shoulder to Shoulder - This new primary shirt celebrates the 2019 Supporters' Shield winners' deep ties to the LA community & it's supporters. It retains the classic black look that they wore while breaking records last season. Also on the shirt there are bits of gold including the gold neck tape which has the words Shoulder to Shoulder on it, this is to symbolise the commitment of the club & the independent supporters union for the club the 3252.
Minnesota United - Minnesota reached the playoffs for the first time in 2019 and in 2020 they will be taking to the field in a new away shirt that has the unmistakable mark of their 'Loons' nickname. The state bird is represented with a large loon wing sweeping across the grey shirt. Not only is the shirt grey but it has the light blue 3 stripes. As a sign of unity shared with their 'Wonderwall' singing fans the shirt has the clubs' slogan 'Forever United is across the inside neck tape.
Montreal Impact - Not only are the Impact heading into the new season with the legend Thierry Henry as their manager but they are also going to have a nice new away shirt to go along with his appointment. This simple shirts features white pinstripes & the 3 stripes in black across the shoulder. Passion - Fierte- Authenticite which is the clubs' slogan is on the inside neck tape.
New England Revolution - A team bringing a classic look back in 2020 is New England Revolution. They will be wearing an updated version of their classic red, white and blue flag look from the 1996 season, this will be called 'The Original'. To go along with this shirt they will also be wearing red shorts for the first time.
New York Red Bulls - The New York Red Bulls have opted to go dark for 2020. Their shirt is black with red accents which pays homage to the club's original colours. This shirt is called 'Dark Mode'. It features a raised, all red club crest and of course it has the nine-star mark as they are one of the original teams.
Nashville SC - Another team who are being welcomed to the MLS for the first time is Nashville SC, for their first season they will be having 2 shirts, the home one named Forever Gold takes the colours from the 'Electric Gold' badge with a blue trim. But that isn't the best shirt for me the best is the 'Nashville Vide' this reverses the colour pattern with the blue taking centre stage. Both these shirts will have the Tennessee Tri-Star flag on the jock tag.
New York City FC - New York City FC have taken some inspiration from their vibrant home city for their away shirt that they have called 'The Gotham Kit'. The front of the shirt is inspired by the architecture of the Brooklyn Bridge and other details are drawn from the scenery of New York Harbor. It has the NYC monogram on it flanked on either side by 5 cables to represent each borough in the colours of the city flag.
Orlando City - Now to my favourite team, Orlando's 2020 shirt features one of the great aspects of Florida.... the sunshine. The 'Heart and Sol' shirt features a print of a purple sun that radiates from the clubs badge. The jock tag features the state of Florida with OCSC placed over Orlando. But that isn't it the inside neck tape also features a special message to the fans in English and Spanish.
Portland Timbers - The new Timbers shirt pays homage to one of the most iconic stadiums in the MLS (and also the NWSL). The shirt has wood grain lines that make up the grey hoops on the shirt, this is in reference to the wood forms seen through Portland's Providence Park stadium. The Timbers are celebrating their 10th season in the league and they are commemorating this on the jock tag. The words 'Forever Green and Gold' are on the inside neck tape.
Real Salt Lake - Keeping the theme along the lines of their City's unique landscape, Real Salt Lake are paying homage to their their home with their new 2020 shirt. Their new claret & blue kit is definitely a stand out shirt, on the jock tag it also features a raised 05 sitting on a beehive, which is the state emblem for Utah.
Seattle Sounders - The Sounders will take on their title defense in a usual green shirt complete with the Cascadia flag at the back neck. This shirt design embodies everything the club stands for and has another star on for the reigning MLS Cup champions.
Vancouver Whitecaps - The motto for the city is 'By Sea Land and Air we Prosper' and the Whitecaps have looked to capture that sentiment in their new shirt. The shirt has taken inspiration from their home's natural beauty with snow-capped peaks & white-crested waves on the light blue shirt. The waves in the design pay homage to the Vancouver flag.
Philadelphia Union - The 'Forever Faithful' kit features the club's famous snake talisman which covers the front of the shirt, which also has some gold accents. On the back of the neck there will be an infinity snake with honours the clubs supporters 'Ad finem fidelis' or 'Faithful 'Til the End'.
San Jose Earthquakes - This seasons shirt embodies the club's slogan which is the rallying cry 'Vamos San Jose', Inspired by the San Jose flag the shirt sports a yellow, white and blue colour scheme and pattern. The clubs authentic kit will also feature the nine-star founding club mark.
Toronto FC - For the 2020 season Toronto FC are going grey as they look to embody the culture of Toronto into their kit with their traditional red highlighting the grey shirt. It also features the Toronto flag along with the words 'All for One' which is a nod to all the surrounding cities where Toronto FC pull fans from
So there you have it those are the shirts that were released at the recent MLS 25 event and here are some of my favourite shirts from this release are:
Houston Dynamo
Orlando City
D.C. United
New York Red Bulls
Vancouver Whitecaps
But I have to say my overall favourite would have to be the New York Red Bulls shirt as it is simple in terms of the colours used but is bold enough to catch your eye with the classic black and white.
I was a bit worried with all the clubs using the same template that they may have all just ended up looking the same but each team seems to have really made the shirts their own.
The season kicks off on the 29th February as the Colorado Rapids face D.C. United at Audi Field. I am really looking to properly following the MLS season this season. My team will always be Orlando City but who are you supporting?
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