The 2019 MLS season gets underway this weekend, and the 24 teams have been gearing up for the new season by launching their new kits over the last couple of months. Here, we bring them all together for a closer look.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlanta United Primary
Kicking things off with last season's MLS Cup winners, and Atlanta launched their new jersey, cleverly titled the "Star and Stripes" jersey. The essence of the shirt remains the same as the last, with the red and black stripes forming the core, finished nicely with some gold trim for a regal feel that’s fit for the defending champions.
Chicago Fire Secondary
The fire revealed their new secondary jersey along with a slightly new look for their primary jersey after they agreed a deal new for a new jersey sponsor with Chicago-based mobile communications giants Motorola. The new secondary jersey was a fairly standard fair, inverting the existing look of the primary jersey.
Columbus Crew Primary
Another kit that came with a name, Columbus Crew launched their new primary kit, dubbed rather imaginatively the "2019 Gold Kit". It includes several nods that recognise Crew SC’s status as the first club charter awarded in MLS as well as commemorating the club’s initial MLS season in 1996.
DC United Secondary
In terms of invention, this one probably ranks pretty low. You'll notice several white kits on this list and this appears to be a running theme with this season's offerings, with adidas keen to ensure each team has one kit that clearly differentiates them from their opponents. The silver accents are the standout feature in an otherwise uninspiring offering for Rooney and co.
FC Cincinnati Primary (and Secondary)
Cincinnati have geared up for their inaugural season in MLS with a pair of jerseys, but with the secondary being an incredibly standard all-white affair, we'll focus on the primary. It takes a royal blue base, distinctively accented with vibrant orange diagonal lines of varying widths, which form virtual vertical stripes on the front of the jersey, lending it a sense of 'motion'. Nice.
New England Revolution Secondary
Dubbed "The Colonial," New England's latest secondary jersey is supposedly inspired by the uniforms worn by colonial generals during the Revolutionary War. Ok then. The design for the Rev's new jersey features a predominantly white front with light blue sides and sleeves, tied together with navy blue trim.
New York City Primary
Arriving in the traditional sky blue colours of the club, the New York City primary jersey features a pigeon mosaic on the jock tag, honouring the unofficial bird of the city, a vertical stripe in the colours of the New York City flag, and the flag itself featured on the back neck. Done.
New York Red Bulls Secondary
One of the better efforts on display, the Red Bulls' Secondary "Glitch" jersey has the words “Love”, “Fight”, “Passion”, and “Glory” embedded on the front of the jersey in honour of the core values of the club. After securing the club’s third supporter’s shield in six years, the silver colourway pays homage to the club's success on and off the pitch.
Philadelphia Union Secondary
Celebrating the club's tenth season, the special "Inspired" jersey features customisable back tags in a first-ever in the MLS, bringing a unique identity to the new kit. Again, this is another one of those core white kits, but the tags certainly give it a little extra in the identity stakes.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Colorado Rapids Secondary
Yet another white offering, and you can bet that the home of the Rocky Mountains jumped on the opportunity to tie this in with a snow theme. Titled the “Black Diamond” kit after the toughest skiing runs (see, told you) the saving grace of this design is the Burgundy and grey accents. Wouldn't be bad if it didn't look like all the rest.
FC Dallas Secondary
Named after the famous Reunion Tower, the "Reunion" jersey is inspired by the unique and iconic architecture of the city. At least it wasn't as bad as some of the "suggested" offerings. Perhaps that was just a way to temper expectations...
LA Galaxy Secondary
Featuring a glitchy-styled design, the new adidas LA Galaxy secondary jersey puts a modernised twist on a colour combination that the club have used before on their away strips. Titled the "Night Navy" kit, the body features a vertical stripe design with a digital glitch inspiration for a bespoke look that stands proudly away from the templates widely used elsewhere.
Los Angeles FC Secondary
Titled "Street by Street", LAFC's 2019 secondary jersey is inspired by the very materials and textures that make up the city of Los Angeles. Patterns and textures taken from the streets and avenues that connect the city, the recently unveiled jersey is an ode to the strength drawn from LA's streets.
Minnesota United Secondary
The "Drift" jersey takes inspiration from the driving wind and snow of the frozen north. Yep, you guessed it, another white kit. This one may hold slightly more meaning in the years to come as it marks the first season that Minnesota will be playing in their stunning Allianz Field stadium.
Seattle Sounders Secondary
The design inspiration for the Sounder's secondary “Nightfall” kit came from the evening sky over CenturyLink Field during an iconic match in Sounders FC history, as Seattle faced rivals Portland in front of 64,207 home fans on July 13, 2014. Good story, good look, good effort all round, this.
And that's your lot. You can pick up all MLS kits from MLSstore.com