Everyone loves new soccer kits – and all 30 teams across Major League Soccer recently released some pretty sharp ones.
Some honor musical icons (like St. Louis City’s homage to Tina Turner, the San Jose Earthquake’s tribute to the Grateful Dead, or Sporting Kansas City’s hearkening to its legendary jazz district). Others lean into the city’s natural landscape, such as Austin FC or the Seattle Sounders. While others bring awareness to important causes, like CF Montréal did by bringing awareness to pancreatic cancer.
But for Alexi Lalas, FOX Sports soccer analyst and host of the “Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast”, there are five that truly stand out – including the aptly named “July Fourth Kit” by the New England Revolution. Of course, Lalas played for the Revs – but it’s still a solid selection for the top of his New MLS Kit Power Rankings.
Let’s break down his selections:
Details: The kit honors Philadelphia’s role in the United States founding and its enduring spirit of rebellion and unity. Inspired by the city’s architecture, documents, and icons that shaped the USA, the design features a “1776” jock tag and the club’s signature “Join or Die” emblem.
Alexi’s Take: Its philly. 1776, its lil understated for me. Liberty Bell, Dollar Bill, Constitution. It’s very 1776 as the name implies i would have liked it a bit more bold at least they have the respect to recognize the birthday and with the understanding of what they are.
Details: Did Orlando strike gold here? The look dives into Florida’s storied coastline and the legend of the 1715 Treasure Fleet. Inspired by shipwrecks and sea exploration, this is the Lions’ first-ever predominantly gold jersey – although the look includes trademark deep purple accents.
Alexi’s Take: If you look into it, it’s an actual lion that embedded into the background. I like the color because it pops with the gold, yellow type of thing.
Details: RBNY’s kit reflects the club’s black and red palette with features that symbolize the literal roots and groundwork the team has placed since it was founded as one of the original teams in MLS. A bold look for a new era with former USA captain Michael Bradley returning to the club, this time as manager.
Alexi’s Take: “To me, it looks like wires and electricity. It’s something different, it’s something instantly recognizable. For me, it screams ‘Hey Look at me’ and I wanted that. I don’t want something understanded when it comes a team out there. I know its tsupposed to roots, but it looks like veins and lightning.”
Details: Marking 30 years since Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics, the design channels that event featuring nostalgic colors and energy, with a gold crest symbolizing victory.
Alexi’s Take: We talked about 1776 but in this moment, they chose to celebrate is the spirit of 96 which was when the olympics were held in atlanta. the color scheme and the logo of atlanta is made to look like a gold medal. I really appreciate that and its just a clean, cool-looking uniform.
Details: An apt jersey to celebrate America 250. Inspired by patriotic bunting and July 4 fireworks that light the skies each summer, the Revs’ jersey includes Heritage Tree and “Est. 1776” sign-offs. The jersey honors the region’s role in America’s founding and celebrates a milestone year.
Alexi’s Take: If any team recognizes what’sin their palm of their hand with the 250th birthrday. it would be the NE Revoltuion they jersey is called July fourth, it is fireworks. Just because you send me something doesnt mean ill wear it and certainly doesnt mean it goes to the top of the power rankings but in this case it absolutely did. they didn’t shy, they leaned right into. they came up with a shirt that celebrates the greatest country of the world that has the color and vibrancy that ultimately has the spark and the fire that this country deserves on our bithrday.
