It’s January, which means that one of the more underrated parts of the logo/uniform calendar is here — the time when MLS teams unveil new kits! Due to the economics of soccer and the way MLS and Adidas handle their kit rotations, it’s gotten to the point where every team is guaranteed at least one new kit a season, whether it’s a home kit, away kit, or a third kit. So get ready, because there’s going to be a cavalcade of new MLS kits on the way.
The first team to show off their new look for 2017 is the 2015 MLS Cup Champions, the Portland Timbers. The Timbers have decided to go with a bit of a callback to their popular third kits from 2014 and 2015 with their new home kits for 2017.
The Timbers’ new home kits are clearly retro inspired and, again, this is a popular choice for the Rose City club when you consider just how often they wore those third kits during their championship season.
The Timbers new primary jersey is a modern yet classic kit featuring a revised green and gold colorway inspired by elements of the club’s NASL jerseys of the 1970s. Highlighted by a deeper Ponderosa green with Ravens Gold accents, the kit is made of a new engineered flannel material that creates the checkered look and feel.
It’s also interesting to note that this is the first year in which Portland can wear a silver star above their crest, which is showing the MLS’ relatively new championship star protocol at work.
Early reactions from the fans seem to indicate that this is going to be a popular number, and if this kit is any indication then things could only get better from here when it comes to the kit unveilings.
But what do you all think? Did the Timbers and Adidas nail this look, or should they have gone with something a bit more modern? Let us know what you think!