How a soccer team takes the field doesn’t just involve formations and tactics, the way a team is presented is also important. From the black and white of Juventus to Argentina’s light blue and white stripes or the orange adorning the Netherlands, a team’s kit is the mold a side’s identity is forged into. A jersey comes with expectations and even gives a team an edge before stepping on the field.
For fans of US Soccer this is something that has been missing over the years. At times, there have been jerseys
that seemed to reflect the nation and team almost perfectly. The striped and denim kits from 1994 or Waldos are instantly recognizable and iconic. This style has come and gone, striped shirts and jerseys with stars have been worn by US Soccer teams but just as many kits with blobs or splatter or alternative color choices have come along also.
It seems pretty obvious that the United States should wear a jersey with stars and stripes on it. This year, Nike has delivered a design that does that. The home kit totally nails what an identity for the team should be reflected in on the field.
Red and white stripes with blue shorts fits the bill. That said, the second kit might leave room for improvement. It’s navy, very navy, with lighter navy star shadows floating in the design also. The decision not to make the stars more visible and perhaps toning down the navy is a drawback from the overall concept.
For now these are just leaks, but Footy Headlines usually gets these things right. The home kit is one that will look unmistakably American on the field with the away jersey needing a closer look. That said, the way the team will look at the World Cup when it comes to on-field fashion has the makings of turning just another kit into a uniform that joins other icons in the sport. Of course, the next step will be the team playing as good as they look when the tournament rolls around this summer.
