MLS/Adidas release official MLS Match Ball

Today MLS and Adidas have made official the release of the soccer ball to be used during MLS matches in 2017. Players will be kicking the same ball as they did in 2016, a design Adidas calls NATIVO, with a new graphic pasted onto it.

The new design features distressed fragments of both the American and Canadian flags against a plain white background. Adidas’ Sr. Director of Soccer offers this grandiose explanation of the new design.

“The 2017 NATIVO’s blueprint showcases the spirit of adidas Soccer and Major League Soccer blended through a creative design language that highlights the U.S. and Canadian flags, while also featuring a unique texture that will inspire soccer fans across North America to take their game from the stadium to the street.”

Whether the design inspires an outburst of street soccer or not, it is certainly an aesthetic improvement over last year’s garrish superimposed flags.

The new ball is listed at $160 and can currently be bought at adidas.com and MLSstore.com. There are also cheaper versions of the ball available.

The new NATIVO design will be used for the first time in an official capacity during Portland’s opening day match against Minnesota United.