US men's national team unveils new home jersey

The U.S. men's national team has unveiled the jersey it will wear for home games in 2008. Here it is:

What do you think? I know what I think. I feel like I'm looking at something out of a Tommy Hilfiger or Eddie Bauer catalog. Notice how there is no collar on this one? If it had a collar the players might think they're in a Gap commercial. No word yet on whether this comes with a sweater to tie around the neck.

Okay, so maybe that's a bit harsh. We'll see how it looks against Mexico.

What do you think? Love it? Hate it? Think it's better suited for the women's field hockey team? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[brian]

don't like it much at all right now. and i'll like it even less once nike unveils the same exact jersey for the other 100 national teams it sponsors.

[Aaron]

Frankly Ives, you could have been much much harsher...

Even before reading your blurb, my knee-jerk reaction to seeing the new USMNT sweater pullover was a mighty cringe.

[JMH]

I like the blue and white pin stripe jerseys. This ones ok, they definetley could do better

[Evan]

Give me a blowtorch and a gallon of gasoline and I could improve upon that design ten-fold.

[wolvie wanderers]

how picks our uniforms? or is it all in Nike's hands, like the original MLS names and logos - for the love of footie, can't we get something better?!?!?! maybe we should just switch to adidas...

and when are we getting a respectible logo - that shield is huge and ugly...hey why not enlarge it and put it directly on the chest of the new shirt...

sigh 2008 - and another crappy kit

[bubblehouse]

We could win the world cup and we would still be the laughing stock of the world wearing that hideous jersey.

[Modibo]

Where I come from we call this "suck-a**." You'll never catch me with this rag on my back.

[Johnny]

BARF!

[Steve]

Wow. I'm the minority here. I kinda like it. They need to throw a collar on it though and as Ives pointed out, make it Gap-like. That way I could wear it to work. Cubicle-ready.

[DJC]

WOW... I mean, wow... This really, really really sucks. Is that baby blue? I mean, WOW. No joke, this is a woman's shirt right?

[Daniel]

Wow, I wonder whos kid at Nike won the design contest.

[Haig]

Fugly.

[KingSnake]

I had the same initial impression. Appropriate for Landycakes though ...

[kahlva]

Why do they feel it's necessary to change our jerseys every year? What in the world is wrong with our "classic" white ones?

UGH. This one is vanilla-boring. Let's all put it on and then go meet Buffy and Lawrence at the yatch club...

[Chris H]

Yeah...if it were the manager's polo (with a collar), then I might consider it. But as the actual jersey? When did Nike decide that pinstripes would look good on a soccer jersey?

At least the gold is gone. I hated that.

I blame this on Sam's Army. See what happens when you ask for more red in the US jersey? ;) You get red pin stripes.

I have to reserve final opinion until I see it on the players at the game.

[Derek]

I don't know if it is worse than the blue pinstripes but it certainly is terrible.

[George H.]

Just awful. What was wrong with the ones that we had?

I know that the USSF & Nike make more cash by selling the new shirts, but this is ridiculous. We need to pick one jersey which doesn't change through the years like real soccer nations do and then Nike can mess around with the alternative jersey each year.

The only positive in this development is that I'll be able to buy the old jersey on the cheap now.

[mike ruze]

Hate i now we'll really hear how soccer is for sissys

[Adam]

I crap better kits than this, seruiously?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[Jim]

Terrible

Keep some slight variation of the old one, we have a long history, why do we have to look ridiculous?

[Dave]

Steve I'll back you up man. I'm a fan, I'm sure it'll look nice once we see it out one pitch.

[The Metrologist]

Makes anyone wearing it look like they'd rather be playing rugby.

In the wussiest rugby league ever.

It's terrible.

[IndyYankFan]

Terrible

[mikemc]

First thought...a Tiger Woods golf shirt! Definitely, not a fan of it...

[IndyYankFan]

Terrible

[mikemc]

For the record nothing against Tiger, just not something I would envision for a soccer kit.

[PKTaker]

bring back the '94 denim colored kit...

[James]

I don't like it, but I have to say this:

It's better than half of our old uniforms. So on the US Uniform scale (1-10), I'll give it a 6. On a "fashion shouldn't really matter in soccer" scale, a 2.

[dabes2]

Worst since the 94 faux denim. It's going to look great with the argyle socks.

I know many disagree with me, but I actually love the home jersey it's replacing.

[mexicanbluefish]

free association: 80's preppy, crybaby, wuss, sissy, pansy, tennis, golf, 90's yuppy, country club, late 80's BMW, Wham, Duran Duran, Daddy's little girl...

[Kevin]

Look at the bright side, at least we won't be spending any money on the new shirt. :)

Seriously though, take off the shield, and how would anyone even remotely think that's a US Men's NT jersey? Looks more like a new FC Dallas away jersey.

[RP]

Close second for "Worst. USA Jersey. Ever." to the denim blues from 1994.

Somehow this makes the royal blue pinstripe third jersey looked inspired.

[Sandro]

I hope this is in addition to the current home jersey. They should keep the one we have now, white with blue and red stripes. It is a classic jersey and should stay. No other nation changes as quickly as we do. This is just terrible! We need some consistency.

[jason]

golf.

[Sandro]

Mr Gulati,

Please keep the old jersey. Enough of these jerseys, seems like we have one every year! Build tradition by keeping the jerseys we have.

Hmmm, we should start a petition so that Mr Gulati can hear us USA Soccer fans! Any ideas?

[soccer nerd]

Look, I'm just going to say this, and you guys can interpret it however you want:
This jersey will look just right on Taylor Twellman.

[Uncle Jason]

This design is gayer than Ryan Seacrest! Please change this crap because it is an absolute shame. NIKE is full of pretentious a-holes...let's switch to ADIDAS or PUMA.

Bobby B. should protest!

[jeff]

everyone seems to want a collar . . . how 'bout this instead of that hideous womens jersey?

http://www.ussoccerstore.com/us00m29150810.html

[BK]

I think this pretty much sums it up.
http://www.slate.com/id/2168476/

Sandro, there are a lot of online petition websites. You start one up, I'll be the first to sign it.

[steve-o]

FLAT OUT AWFUL.

what happened to red, white, and blue?

[jb]

Why are we the only team in the world that feels a need to completely overhaul our jersey every six months? The practice is stupid and this jersey is ugly.

[Rob C]

I saw a great article in Slate Magazine once regarding the lack of consistency of the National Team Kit, which also results in a lack of unity among fans and a lack of tradition for a Soccer Federation that has been around for almost 100 years. This is a perfect example. What is this team's main color and main look?

Italy, the Azzuri, BLUE. Brazil, always yellow shirt and blue shorts. Argentina, light blue and white. The USA. Red? White? That weird teal/green/denim thing from '94? This team has no identity and refuses to establish a tradition.

When I saw the pinstriped "Copa America" kit I loved it and thought it should be the main shirt, with the current white shirt as the alternate. Why change? Sure, cuts and styles change (uniforms are much tighter-fitting today, for example), but I think there needs to be consistency.

This shirt isn't THAT bad. I need to see it with shorts and socks. Still would prefer the 2 current kits (white and navy) and the Copa America pinstriper to this one.

[J]

anything is an improvement over the pajama kit, but that is not saying much. However, our shield is terrible. I like the idea of going with one design and sticking with is so when you see it, you know it is the U-S-A. Play with the alternates.

[Michael F.]

Embarrasing. Horrific.

[BK]

I posted the Slate article that Rob C is talking about a few comments back if you're interested in reading it.

[Steve W]

Why does the jersey have to change, what seems like, every six months?

Terrible.

[twakum]

major, major suckage...

[Matt Mathai]

My reaction to the jersey follows:

WTF???

A more reasoned reaction: I thought a jersey was meant to reflect your national identity in some way. This jersey just looks like an expensive rec league jersey. I hate it.

I say that knowing full well that if we win the world cup in it, I'll be in line to buy one.

Finally, @mikemc: Tiger Woods would not be caught dead in a shirt like that.

[eric]

dont like it.

[Rob C]

I think we can take solace in the fact that there will be another shirt for 2010. They usually do these on a two-year cycle, correct?

[PS]

Thanks a lot Ives! Here I am just getting out of bed on the west coast and trying to ease into the day and you assault me with that ... that ... thing. My immediate response was WTF is that? I couldn't help but say it out loud the moment your main page loaded.

[jpc]

i like it, except for the fake v-neck... but otherwise i like it

[northzax]

@ Matt Mathai:

A more reasoned reaction: I thought a jersey was meant to reflect your national identity in some way. This jersey just looks like an expensive rec league jersey.

and that is reflecting our national (soccer, at least) identity, ain't it? I like the idea of khaki shorts and argyle socks to go with it. Would FIFA let us wear argyle socks?

[SWAG]

Simply Ugly, sticking with the current white.
I usually buy them all but this one not so much!

[Kim]

Is that a red wine stain on the lapel? Does it come with a pair of 'swooshed' deck shoes for travel?

[Neumannator]

I think it will look perfect on Landon and I think I've said enough.

[quakes fan]

couldn't get much uglier than this. Reminds me of some those heinous designs Nike came up with for the first year of MLS.

[Tony in Quakeland]

Sucks

[A Diddy]

I like it. I hope the blue and white pinstripe becomes our new home jersey and this becomes our away.

[Nick]

This is a real shame. Last week I was checking out the new Nike kits they did for the European teams playing in Euro 2008 and they all looked amazing, which made me really excited for the new US jersey, but this is a major disappointment! Hopefully the away jersey will look nicer because this is terrible!

[Nick]

Also, the faux V neck makes it looks like a woman's jersey. Let's give this to the USWNT, it'll look great on them and maybe Nike can design us a new one.

[stencom1]

Really? That's the best they can come up with? You would think a US company like Nike would save the best for the home team right? How bout some satin skorts and stockings with a line up the back.....Horrilble!

[inkedAG]

It's not that bad. Much better than that Blue & White pinstripe wannabe Yankees Bulls**t!!

[Cornholio]

Absolutely horrendous.

[Gene]

ridiculous.

[George]

Rubbish !!!

[Adam R.]

I'll reserve judgement until I see Taylor Twellman sporting the youth large version.

[Joamiq]

What
the
HELL
is that?

[George]

Adam, Thank you !!

"I'll reserve judgement until I see Taylor Twellman sporting the youth large version."

Now that's funny!

[cbr]

sit tight ppl.they'll probably change then in a year anyway

[Gilly73]

At least the new Away jersey looks good!

http://www.footballshirtculture.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=934&Itemid=0

[stencom1]

I am now less of a man after looking at that top (isnt that what woman call their shirts?)

[El Pav]

Garbage!!

[PKTaker]

the away kit is nice. i like the new training tops better than the new home shirt...

[sublicon]

Aaallllright. Now that we have that out of our systems . . I don't mind it. Its the same "model" as the Man U shirt, I think. It does look very Tommy Hil, but I'd still buy it.

Go to the website and check out the details, like the script "Dont Tread On Me" on the collar and it may grow on you a little. Also I think more people will warm up to it when they see it in action.

I agree with the assesment that the shirts aren't consistent. What can you do? Give it a little time. I won't buy until I can customize anyway.

[Scott A]

Wow. I´ll wait to offer a scathing opinion until I see it on an actual person because you never know...but wow. How does that look good or represent the U.S. or its colors? Baby blue...wow..

[Scott A]

It doesn´t appear to be the same material as other jerseys. Looks like a t-shirt, maybe it´s just the picture. And yeah, our shield is poor.

[JeffM]

I'm with the mob: this sucks. Not only would I have to suffer looking like an Abercrombie-wearing douchebag if I bought this shirt (which I won't), but BABY BLUE? That's not one of our colors! I like our current shirt - why can't that stick around for a while longer?

[Phillip]

Where do you people see baby blue?

[Trex]

I know I'm in the far minority here, but I think I really like it. Especially over what we have now.

I think people are over-reacting a bit here, are people jumping on the I HATE ALL
USMNT JERSEYS bandwagon again? I don't know, I guess I just don't see what there is about this jersey to just huck at first sight like most people here are doing.

Well, people can dislike it if they want, that's fine. But my personal opinion is that it looks pretty sharp.

[Ted]

Besides the obvious complaints about messing with our home jersey and not having an identity..

I don't hate it. It's better than what we could be stuck with (have you seen Liverpool's horrendous third kit?). That said, I think the blue pinstripes were a cool idea but completely ugly in execution.

The subtle shift from white to light gray is cool. We have to see what it looks like with whatever shorts they pair it with and the socks, but it could be a lot worse.

I liked the old home jersey though,
especially when they wore all white.

Can we just bring back some form of the "Don't Tread On Me" and call it good?

[Brims]

No thanks. Maybe they'll change their minds.

[Kris]

Jes, everyone here's a hater. I like it--But I love simple jersey's more than ones that are so busy, so it falls into my liking.

And please don't refrain to the term "gay" as an insult, Uncle Jason. We're all bigger than that.

(http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/01/us-mens-nationa.html#comment-99200074)

[mb]

WOW!!! its ugly. maybe they could use it as a practice jersey or a warm-up shirt but not the game jersey. what was wrong with the current home jersey- i love the current home jersey and i think everyone else does to.

and i've been saying for years the US' logo needs to be updated- it looks like some crappy clipart.

[Mr. Fish]

Absolutely awful.

[MemRook]

Well, I like it. I hate having a change every year or so, but I don't think it's bad at all. Also, I don't see baby-blue, I see a light grey. I don't know where baby-blue comes from.

[Mountaineer Pride]

I will have to see the whole kit before I pass judgement.

[Eric in Baltimore]

It doesn't do anything for me. I neither love it nor hate it. It has neither elegant simplicity nor bold design. It looks like it was designed by a committee.

[Brian from NY]

I loved the old kit and I love this one. Mark me down for this one with Altidore's name on it ASAP.

It's not my dream of red and white hoops with blue shorts, but it's really good. I don't know what you guys are looking at.

[Kim]

I heard Fuzzy Zoeller will be modeling the top at the Doral Open.

[Kevin]

I want to see it in HD first. It looks fugly now, but they always say that everything looks better in HD, so... am I grasping at straws right now???

[Brit]

Kudos for Nike for going out on a limb and doing somthing different and classy...oh, wait, they didn't. My bad.

[Marc]

As much as I like Ives' sweater joke, I will reserve judgment until I see it on the field.

[kpugs]

Free association on mexicanbluefish: bigot

[Brian from NY]

I also don't understand what this "trademark" is that you all want. United States wears a white shirt, with a navy blue change shirt.

Italy wears blue.
Brazil wears yellow.
England (and every African nation) wears white.

We wear white. That's our shirt. This shirt is white. It's our shirt.
If we win a world cup in it, it becomes iconic.

What do you guys want as a "signature," pink polka dots? Stars and stripes, a la Croatia's tablecloth shirts?

[BK]

We all need to face the fact that this is a product of Nike and nothing else. Does anyone remember last year or the year before in college football when Virginia Tech, Florida, and Miami all had some experimental Nike jerseys with one sleeve color different than the rest of the jersey? They were heinous, but that's what Nike does. Changes the jerseys to sell more. Nike sucks. It was better when they hadn't even entered the soccer fray back when I was a young tyke.

[ruscien]

That new jersey is solid, much better than the white one I have in my closet from 06.
I don't understand what the problem, so it is stylish, not permanent and will likely change in a year or 2.
Sorry they don't design the jersey with hickville, usa in mind.

[Tom B.]

I really liked the old shirt...

this, I HATE.

[Dan]

Maybe it's purpose is to distract the other team during a match.

[BK]

"He looks like a date rapist".

Brody - Mallrats