Preparing for their inaugural onslaught on MLS, FC Cincinnati – the league’s 26th team – have launched their primary and secondary kits at a special event at the city’s historic Music Hall venue.

The kits had to be designed in record time following Cincinnati’s confirmation as an MLS franchise back in May 2018, and the club were quick to temper fans’ expectations. However, what has been delivered by adidas is a stunning primary kit that utilises the team colours, with a royal blue base, distinctively accented with vibrant orange throughout. The short diagonal orange accent lines of varying widths form virtual vertical stripes on the front of the jersey, lending it a sense of 'motion'. 

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The secondary jersey takes a different approach, opting for a simplistic yet powerful pure white design – either that or adidas really did run out of time. Sublimated white horizontal stripes of varying thickness lend the jersey texture, while even the Three Stripes on the shoulders are in white. The only colour comes from the club crest, sponsor and adidas badge, all featuring on the chest. For a supposed rush job, it's a good effort all round from the German brand.

FC Cincinnati’s debut MLS game will be at Seattle Sounders FC on 2 March at CenturyLink Field. The Orange and Blue will make their home debut as an MLS team at Nippert Stadium on 17 March when the team hosts MLS Cup finalist Portland Timbers.

Pick up the adidas FC Cincinnati primary and secondary kit here.