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The Timbers are debuting their new secondaries tonight, and I have to say they look even better in action than I had anticipated. I was already a huge fan, but I was slightly concerned about how they’d look on-pitch. I was a little worried about the pink color looking a little too much like salmon or flesh-colored but on TV it looks appropriately pink and two of my friends who are at the game have told me it looks appropriately pink in person as well. Wish the shorts numbers were pink instead of white, but that’s a very minor quibble. Not really looking forward to seeing this kit with the white alternate shorts because the dark red shorts are perfect.

As I’ve said before, I think for the sake of consistency the league will have all of the clubs use last year’s keeper kits until they all receive the new ones. Columbus and SKC were the only two clubs to use the new keeper kits in preseason photo shoots, which suggests to me that the other clubs don’t even have them yet. Personally, I’m glad it seems like the league is waiting on having certain teams use the new ones until ALL of the teams can use them.

Genuinely think Vancouver’s new secondary is the single best kit in the league:

First game of the season, between Philly and Minnesota, does indeed feature both teams using last year’s keeper kits. Also, interesting move by the Union going with light blue numbers on the shorts: The names/numbers on the shirt are still gold. I guess I don’t mind the light blue shorts numbers, as it does add a nice pop of that light blue color below the waist, but I think I would’ve preferred gold to match what’s on the back of the shirt. My ideal way to add some light blue below the waist would be to have the socks have the same gold/light blue/gold stripe as the shirt around the calf. The Whitecaps have striped socks for their current primaries, but none of this year’s new kits have any stripes, hoops, etc. on the socks. It’s a shame, really, as there are several kits that could’ve benefited from some sort of socks design. One more thing: The above picture gives a closer look at this year’s shorts, which are no longer the full “Authentic” quality that Adidas’ premier club & national teams receive. They’re essentially a hybrid between “Authentic” & “Replica” quality. The heat-transferred 3 stripes & rubberized logos are still what you’d find on the authentic versions for Adidas’ premier clubs & national teams, but the fabric and non-tapered cut are what you’d find on replica shorts for Adidas’ premier teams and on the shorts for Adidas’ smaller clubs & national teams. Not a huge deal, but interesting nonetheless. This actually brings the shorts more in line with what Adidas has done for MLS shirts the last few years, where everything is “Authentic” quality (heat-transferred 3 stripes & logos, tapered cut, etc.) except for the main shirt fabrics.

Eloy Room just posted this picture this morning where he’s in the new blue keeper kit: It’ll be interesting to see if Columbus (or any other team) uses the new keeper kits this weekend. I think this pretty much confirms that the new keeper kits will be used at some point this season, but my guess is that there’s been some some supply chain issues and teams are still waiting to receive them. If that’s the case, I bet the league will have all of the teams use last year’s keeper kits until the new ones are received by all of the clubs.

Search “PDX carpet”, it’s a HUGE thing here. A certain segment of fans have clamored for a PDX carpet-themed uni for a long time now and the pattern has been used in so many applications now that it’s honestly ridiculous. I’ve never really been a proponent of a PDX-carpet themed uni, but I will say now that it seems like they’re actually doing it, I’m really glad it’ll just be contained within a sash on a black base instead of an all-over pattern or even a teal base with patterned accents. Ironically, the carpet was changed in 2015 to a different design, but the old pattern is still (mostly) beloved and still has iconic status here. They are bringing the old pattern back in a new terminal at PDX scheduled to open in 2024.

Here’s the link to see all of this weekend’s kit matchups: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/kit-matchups-what-your-club-is-wearing-for-mls-week-1-x9172 San Jose/RBNY and Atlanta/SKC are the only two games where neither team will be debuting a new kit. There are seven matchups with both sides debuting new kits. If these graphics are to be believed, last year’s keeper kits will be sticking around (at least to start the year). All of this year’s preseason games and photo shoots across the league (and CCL games, for that matter) have featured last year’s keeper kits, so it’s not exactly a surprise. Very likely a supply chain issue, and my guess is the league will have all of the teams use last year’s keeper kits until every team receives the new ones.

I’ve never been in love with the idea of the Blazers going the PDX carpet route, but I will say I’d be pretty content with the carpet pattern being contained within a sash rather than as an all-over pattern. Definitely interested to see the full thing.

The MLS site has a page where you can rank this season’s new kits: https://www.mlssoccer.com/fans-power-rankings?sg_sessionid=1645384497_621293318030c3.25401003&__sgtarget=-1&__sgbrwsrid=2535f320e489ce0ff93c6c4ca852e387#sgbody-6747596 My top 5: 1. Vancouver 2. Portland 3. Orlando 4. Colorado 5. Philadelphia

I really do not like this at all.

Columbus now official: I really hope they wear the black shorts more than the yellow shorts.

I actually think that’s pretty sharp. I don’t think the white-to-purple shirt gradient is necessary and would’ve preferred just the gradient sun rays, but it’s definitely more out of the box than their previous secondaries.

Definitely seems like gradient stripes, but this teaser also suggests that there’s a gradient on the base as well: This could be really good…. or akin to *that* Columbus kit.

Minnesota and SKC both with severely underwhelming kits.

Really don’t understand the silver on that. Would look much better with white or blue in place of silver.

If there’s a club in MLS that should do the simple color swap, it’s Vancouver. The hoop is such a good design and works equally well in white and blue (and their brown third kit that echoed the hoop is one of my favorites of all time). The ‘Caps should’ve been rolling with this kit combo from day one in MLS, but I’m glad they’re at least doing it now. As for the shade of blue, I do think a slightly lighter shade would’ve been the only change I would’ve made. Still like the navy, but something more like Dodgers blue would’ve been incredible.

Vancouver with the reverse hoop jersey, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Honestly think I like this better than either of their white hoop jerseys. Looks like they used the old socks in these photos, so that’s the only thing presented here that should look a little different.

The Fire have re-upped with Motorola and unveiled a new primary that isn’t all that different from last year’s: I do like the custom embossed pattern, and we’ve already known that the navy/red color scheme would stick around until 2024 when they switch back to red primaries. Perfectly fine, nothing more, nothing less.

That RSL kit is pretty nice. Love the striping on the collar and cuffs. Never been a huge fan of side panels, but I think they’re pretty inoffensive here and add more blue to the shirt (would’ve preferred blue sleeves, but this is fine). Why in the hell, though, did they revert back to white for the LifeVantage logo and the names/numbers after FINALLY making them gold on their last primaries? That was something that drove me crazy for years, and now will once again. I’m guessing LifeVantage wanted the logo white again, and RSL decided to have the names/numbers match, but it’s a bummer and a step back.

I hope I’m wrong, but I think their new secondary being mint practically guarantees that their 2023 primary kit will be black-dominant once again. Don’t think the league would’ve allowed the mint kit for them if their next primary was also going to be primarily green.

I really hope the differences in the orange color aren’t as stark in action as they are in that photo. Other than that, definitely a very solid effort and a huge upgrade from their previous secondaries.

I’m sure a good deal of Sounders fans would bash this opinion (especially coming from a Timbers fan), but the rave green has got to go. It looked bad when they debuted in MLS, and still looks bad to this day. Not a coincidence that all of their best kits have been secondaries or thirds, because the rave green is a really tough color to get to look even remotely pleasing. Do I realistically think they’ll get rid of it? No. Should they? 1000% yes. The badge needs a significant overhaul, too.

Prediction mockup for the new Crew primary:

It’s definitely the logo-sized gaps that make it look a little less natural than the Thorns jersey. I’m VERY glad the roses aren’t tonal on the Timbers’ new jersey, but the logo-sized gaps are a side effect of that choice. They also could’ve made the roses smaller and placed more of them on the shirt, but I think the gaps would’ve been even more evident with that approach. All things considered, I think they made it look about as good and bold as they could.

This is an absolute home run IMO. I’d call it the most *beautiful* kit in MLS history (beautiful does not equal best here). Can’t say I love the white in the crest & TikTok logo, but otherwise I love everything about this. Hopefully the white shorts are used sparingly because the dark red shorts look incredible with it.