SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 13: A general view during the match between the New England Revolution and the Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on April 13, 2013 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Best and worst MLS kits for the 2015 season

10) Seattle Sounders

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Ranking

Phillip – 7 (primary-new), 8 (secondary-new)
Andy – 4, 5
Jeff – 4, 6

TOTAL – 34/60

Explanation of kit

“The green jersey is made of drop needle fabric with pinstripes and the white version also has thicker lines running in a similar direction from top to bottom of the shirt. Both also have a “Sounders FC” wordmark on the back neck. The popular stadium chant “Come on Seattle. Fight and Win” is split between the two jerseys. The home kit will carry the words “Come on Seattle” on the inside neck tape, while the white away shirt will have the phrase “Fight and Win” in the exact same spot, inside of the neck line.” –mlssoccer.com

Additional comments

Phillip – “Personally, I don’t like the shade of green Seattle has. I get it that it’s a color Seattle uses and some people like that but it’s not for me. Overall, I did like the kits but the primary got a point taken off for the missing comma in “Come on Seattle.”

Andy – “For a team always competing at the top of the league these are my least favorite look from the kit I’ve ever seen from the Sounders.”

 

9) San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose secondary, courtesy of mlssoccer.com

San Jose secondary, courtesy of mlssoccer.com

San Jose primary, courtesy of fanatics.com

San Jose primary, courtesy of fanatics.com

Ranking

Phillip – 6 (primary), 5 (secondary-new)
Andy – 6, 6
Jeff – 6, 6

TOTAL – 35/60

Explanation of kit

“The Quakes have been around for a while and that history is reflected in their new white secondary jersey with pops of reds which harkens back to the club’s old days in the North American Soccer League from 1974-1984. Another reminder of just how far back the club was born shows up in the jock tag featuring an “SJ74″ on the lower left corner of the shirt and the words “San Jose 1974″ on the neck tape.” –mlssoccer.com

Additional comments

Phillip – “The kits look pretty plain. Looks like they’re building up with something bigger in the future.”

 

8) Colorado Rapids

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Ranking

Phillip – 7 (primary), 4 (secondary-new)
Andy – 7, 7
Jeff – 7, 5

TOTAL – 37/60

Explanation of kit

“The gold demonstrates the characteristic colors of the emblematic Colorado state flag. In addition, the Colorado “C” is embossed directly into the front of the shirt. The full state flag will also be incorporated in the lower left front corner of the jersey.” –coloradorapids.com

Additional comments

Phillip – “I have nothing bad to say about the primary kit. The secondary kit, let’s just say Colombia called and they want their kit back.”

Andy – “Love the ‘C’ on the chest and the overall look of both kits. Not a bad idea to go with the state flag colors for the away kit as well. Finally something different for a bland organization and a bland brand.”

 

7) Vancouver Whitecaps

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Ranking

Phillip – 8 (primary-new), 7 (secondary)
Andy – 6, 5
Jeff – 6, 5

TOTAL – 37/60

Explanation of kit

“The Whitecaps club slogan “Our All. Our Honor.” is now located in two spots on the jersey: It’s embossed on the lower left hip and it’s printed on the inside necktape. On the back of the jersey are the words “Since 1974,” a reminder of the club’s history spanning 41 years.” –mlssoccer.com

Additional comments

Phillip – “I didn’t like the primary kit at first but the blue on the shoulders and across the chest grew with me. It’s a nice touch.”

 

6) Houston Dynamo

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Ranking

Phillip – 6 (primary-new), 6 (secondary)
Andy – 8, 7
Jeff – 7, 5

TOTAL – 39/60

Explanation of kit

“The jersey features an orange and black version of the new MLS shield on both sleeves, as well as the Texas flag on the lower left of the shirt. “Forever Orange” is emblazoned below the collar on the back of the jersey and Space City Blue stitching accents the sleeves and bottom, while BHP Billiton remains on the front of the shirt as the club’s official jersey partner.” –houstondynamo.com

Additional comments

Phillip – “Creamsickle doesn’t normally work (look at the early Bucaneers jerseys) but Houston made the best of a bad situation.”

Andy – “Clean and a little nod to some past design work here. Houston has a tough color combination to work with and these are the best I’ve seen from the adidas looks.”

 

5) Los Angeles Galaxy

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Ranking

Phillip – 9 (primary), 10 (secondary-new)
Andy – 4, 5
Jeff – 5, 6

TOTAL – 39/60

Explanation of kit

“Among the finer details of the new LA kit are (1) The word “GALAXY” on the back of the jersey; (2) A “This is LA” jock tag on the lower left part of the jersey front; (3) The club’s name, accompanied by the quasar design, on the inside neck tape.” –mlssoccer.com

Additional comments

Phillip – “The blue/gold color scheme is perfection and the home has a nice retro look to it without it actually being retro.”

Andy – “They’ve had better versions of this kit, but I’m surprised we haven’t seen the “retro” look come back (or thank God we haven’t).”

 

4) DC United

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Ranking

Phillip – 8 (primary), 8 (secondary-new)
Andy – 8, 7
Jeff – 4, 5

TOTAL – 40/60

Explanation of kit

“But a peek at the neck tape reveals one of the other distinguishing characteristics of the shirt: The words from the popular DC United supporter chant: “Vamos United Esta Noche Tenemos Que Ganar” (Let’s Go United Tonight We Have To Win). Another subtle detail that supporters will probably enjoy is the DC United eagle on the back neck taken straight from the DC crest.” –mlssoccer.com

Additional comments

Phillip – “The only team who can really claim having tradition in their home kits. The away kit has a sort of 80’s retro charm.”

Andy – “Classic kit that hasn’t really needed to change much, but the away kit is a massive upgrade from previous years.”

 

3) Orlando City SC

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Ranking

Phillip – 9 (primary-new), 7 (secondary-new)
Andy – 7, 7
Jeff – 6, 5

TOTAL – 41/60

Explanation of kit

“To recognize the club’s history, the jersey will also feature the old OCSC logo on the inside of the jersey underneath the current MLS logo. In addition, there’s a 3D crown above the words “Orlando City” on the back of the jersey, highlighting the club’s USL championship titles.” –mlssoccer.com

“While the all-purple home jersey paid homage to the Iron Lion Firm supporters club with the “This Is Orlando” phrase along the neckline, the away shirt gives a nod to another one of OCSC’s big supporters clubs — The Ruckus — with the words “Forever Our City,” also featured in the neckline.” –mlssoccer.com

Additional comments

Phillip – “The purple is definitely a change of pace with every other team in the league. Looks great.”

Andy – “Some of my favorite kits for this season come from the newest kid on the block. Purple can be a difficult color palate to work with but these kits look sharp in my opinion.”

 

2) Sporting Kansas City

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Ranking

Phillip – 8 (primary-new), 10 (secondary)
Andy – 3, 8
Jeff – 4, 8

TOTAL – 41/60

Explanation of kit

“The Sporting Blue primary jersey features a fashion-forward window pane pattern that incorporates the club’s state-line element and will complement a matching primary anthem jacket to be worn by players on the field before matches. The new kit also includes the following imagery: Lenticular Sporting Kansas City crest — introduced on the team’s secondary jerseys in 2014 — under two silver stars that represent the club’s two MLS Cup championships. Henley collar with button on front and Sporting Club shield beneath back collar. Ivy Funds, Sporting KC’s presenting jersey sponsor and official investment management partner, showcased prominently on center of uniform in indigo blue. The Major League Soccer crest, launched as part of a new brand identity for the 2015 season, on both sleeves in Sporting Kansas City’s quintessential colors.” –sportingkc.com

Additional comments

Phillip – “Secondary kit is clean in the back, sponsor is subtle yet noticable and blends with the kit. The primary is revolutionary with the snap collar. The uneven squares on the sleevess makes it look a bit sloppy but likely unable to fix. That distracts from the kit a little.”

Andy – “U-G-L-Y, the home kits are just brutal, however I loved the secondary look with the plaid feel to it. Not as busy as in year’s past and that’s a good thing.”

Jeff – “For the Sporting home, I hate the picnic tablecloth look and the sleeves don’t line up with the rest of the kit so it looks sloppy.”

 

1) Columbus Crew SC

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Image courtesy of si.com/planetfutbol

Ranking

Phillip – 9 (primary-new), 9 (secondary-new)
Andy – 5, 8
Jeff – 4, 6.5

TOTAL – 41.5/60

Explanation of kits

“Both shirts feature embossed checkerboard fabric and that same checkered theme, borrowed from the Crew SC logo. Other updates include the addition of the new-look club and league logos, as well as the new font for the Columbus Crew SC wordmark used on the back of the jersey.” –mlssoccer.com

Additional comments

Phillip – “Columbus is, far and away, winning the award for most improved kits. Their kits are the best part of their rebrand.”

Andy – “I love the black look, it’s hard to get on board with the all-yellow look though.”

Jeff – “Columbus’ home looks like a rag.”

 

Congratulations to Sporting Kansas City for their secondary kit being voted best kit in MLS and congratulations to Columbus Crew SC for being voted as having the best team kits in MLS according to the staff at 32 Flags.

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @phillipbupp

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