Sounders kit officially released

Depending on your perspective, you’ve either been looking forward to today or dreading it for some time. Rumors, mockups, and leaks of the jersey have been swirling for weeks now. Even this week Nohou all but confirmed the kit by posting a video of Jordy Delem on his Snapchat.

This season is Major League Soccer’s 25th anniversary. Because of that, the league seemed to have every team developing a new kit do so with retro vibes in mind. That explains the three stripes on the shoulder of the Sounders kit, which was a staple of Adidas kits in the 90s. The torso of the jersey features a hoop-like texture that goes from top to bottom on the front only. The back of the kit and the arms do not feature the hoops.

Here’s how the team explained the pattern:

One of the most noticeable elements of Forever Green is its distinctive wave pattern across the front panel. The waves serve as both a nod to the club’s historic pre-MLS logos while also symbolizing the team’s dedication to sustainability, including respecting the waters of the Puget Sound. In 2019, Sounders FC became the first professional sports team across the five major men’s professional sports leagues - MLS, NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL - and the first professional soccer team in North America to become carbon neutral, putting into practice the team’s stated commitment to environmental causes.

The two specialized elements of the shirt are a Cascadia flag on the neckline — for which the team consulted with the flag’s designer, Alexander Baretich — and a silhouette of the state of Washington on the jock tag. It also features the 2019 Championship star, awkwardly placed inside the left shoulder panel.

Along with the retro vibes on the kits, the league also wanted to have all the new kits released at a fashion show-type event in New York City today. All the kits can be seen below.