The best new MLS kits of the 2021 season – ranked
The 2021 Major League Soccer regular season is due to begin on April 17.
New club in Austin FC, who have launched two brand new kits, while all 26 returning clubs have released one new jersey and are carrying over another from 2020.
Here's a look at the 12 best looking new MLS jerseys in 2021.
12. Vancouver Whitecaps (primary)
Vancouver Whitecaps have given a fresh look to the navy blue band that first re-appeared on their primary jersey in 2018.
This season's take on it is directly inspired by the club's 1979 NASL championship winning team.
11. New York City (primary)
New York City have stuck purely to sky blue and white in 2021, to give their new primary jersey a more traditional look after experimenting last season.
The sky blue base features a striped pattern with the club's logo also incorporated into the graphic.
10. Orlando City (primary)
Supporting the team 'through thick and thin' inspires the gradient pattern design on Orlando City's 2021 home shirt.
The thick and thin stripes that join together the darker top with the lighter bottom are said to represent the ups and downs the club has been through.
9. FC Cincinnati (primary)
Despite a poor record on the pitch since entering MLS in 2019, Cincinnati have been strong in the kit game and their new 2021 home jersey is one of the better releases this season.
The navy shade of blue is offset by royal blue and orange pin stripes, while the orange adidas branding on the shoulders is a nice sharp contrast.
8. New York Red Bulls (primary)
A checkerboard pattern adds subtle detail to the new home jersey that will be worn by New York Red Bulls in 2021.
There is also a fade on the pattern from top to bottom, which is complemented well by the traditional red accents and trim.
7. Colorado Rapids (secondary)
Colorado Rapids have gone for something a bit different in 2021, ditching the burgundy trim that usually accompanies their white away jerseys.
Instead, it is a subtle light green, paired with green shorts, that pays tribute to Colorado's natural mountainous landscape with topography lines incorporated into the subtle graphic pattern.
6. Austin FC (primary)
There is something extremely appealing in the bold and striking simplicity of Austin's new green and black primary jersey.
They are debuting in the league this season and are the first ever top flight major sports team from the city of Austin.
5. Toronto FC (primary)
Toronto have dubbed this season's new jersey as the 'A41 Kit', which is a play on the club motto 'All for one'.
The design combines the classic red and grey that is synonymous with the Canadian club and reimagines it in a very modern way.
4. Inter Miami (secondary)
Inter Miami's new secondary jersey is inspired by Florida's palm trees, featuring an all-over graphic against the black shirt.
There is also something very classy about still not including a sponsor.
3. CF Montreal (primary)
A new name, new badge and a sharp new home jersey for Montreal in 2021.
The most striking aspect of the new primary shirt is the all-over graphic inspired by the new logo that lends some class and intrigue to the design.
2. Philadelphia Union (secondary)
Supporters' Shield winners in 2020, Philadelphia Union passed the control of their 2021 secondary jersey to a fan group and this was the excellent design they produced.
The color scheme blends perfectly and the lightning graphic is just cool.
1. Seattle Sounders (secondary)
It does not get any cooler in MLS this year than Seattle's new Jimi Hendrix-inspired secondary kit, combining purple, orange and yellow and incorporating a psychedelic pattern.
Hendrix was born and raised in Seattle, while his 'All Along the Watchtower' has been a part of Sounders matchday tradition for years already.
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