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.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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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.
Posted by: brian | January 30, 2008 at 08:19 AM
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.
Posted by: Aaron | January 30, 2008 at 08:20 AM
I like the blue and white pin stripe jerseys. This ones ok, they definetley could do better
Posted by: JMH | January 30, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Give me a blowtorch and a gallon of gasoline and I could improve upon that design ten-fold.
Posted by: Evan | January 30, 2008 at 08:21 AM
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
Posted by: wolvie wanderers | January 30, 2008 at 08:24 AM
We could win the world cup and we would still be the laughing stock of the world wearing that hideous jersey.
Posted by: bubblehouse | January 30, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Where I come from we call this "suck-a**." You'll never catch me with this rag on my back.
Posted by: Modibo | January 30, 2008 at 08:25 AM
BARF!
Posted by: Johnny | January 30, 2008 at 08:26 AM
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.
Posted by: Steve | January 30, 2008 at 08:29 AM
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?
Posted by: DJC | January 30, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Wow, I wonder whos kid at Nike won the design contest.
Posted by: Daniel | January 30, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Fugly.
Posted by: Haig | January 30, 2008 at 08:31 AM
I had the same initial impression. Appropriate for Landycakes though ...
Posted by: KingSnake | January 30, 2008 at 08:34 AM
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...
Posted by: kahlva | January 30, 2008 at 08:35 AM
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.
Posted by: Chris H | January 30, 2008 at 08:36 AM
I don't know if it is worse than the blue pinstripes but it certainly is terrible.
Posted by: Derek | January 30, 2008 at 08:38 AM
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.
Posted by: George H. | January 30, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Hate i now we'll really hear how soccer is for sissys
Posted by: mike ruze | January 30, 2008 at 08:41 AM
I crap better kits than this, seruiously?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Posted by: Adam | January 30, 2008 at 08:41 AM
Terrible
Keep some slight variation of the old one, we have a long history, why do we have to look ridiculous?
Posted by: Jim | January 30, 2008 at 08:47 AM
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.
Posted by: Dave | January 30, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Makes anyone wearing it look like they'd rather be playing rugby.
In the wussiest rugby league ever.
It's terrible.
Posted by: The Metrologist | January 30, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Terrible
Posted by: IndyYankFan | January 30, 2008 at 08:56 AM
First thought...a Tiger Woods golf shirt! Definitely, not a fan of it...
Posted by: mikemc | January 30, 2008 at 08:57 AM
Terrible
Posted by: IndyYankFan | January 30, 2008 at 08:57 AM
For the record nothing against Tiger, just not something I would envision for a soccer kit.
Posted by: mikemc | January 30, 2008 at 08:57 AM
bring back the '94 denim colored kit...
Posted by: PKTaker | January 30, 2008 at 08:59 AM
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.
Posted by: James | January 30, 2008 at 09:00 AM
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.
Posted by: dabes2 | January 30, 2008 at 09:00 AM
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...
Posted by: mexicanbluefish | January 30, 2008 at 09:02 AM
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.
Posted by: Kevin | January 30, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Close second for "Worst. USA Jersey. Ever." to the denim blues from 1994.
Somehow this makes the royal blue pinstripe third jersey looked inspired.
Posted by: RP | January 30, 2008 at 09:03 AM
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.
Posted by: Sandro | January 30, 2008 at 09:04 AM
golf.
Posted by: jason | January 30, 2008 at 09:07 AM
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?
Posted by: Sandro | January 30, 2008 at 09:10 AM
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.
Posted by: soccer nerd | January 30, 2008 at 09:13 AM
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!
Posted by: Uncle Jason | January 30, 2008 at 09:14 AM
everyone seems to want a collar . . . how 'bout this instead of that hideous womens jersey?
http://www.ussoccerstore.com/us00m29150810.html
Posted by: jeff | January 30, 2008 at 09:17 AM
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.
Posted by: BK | January 30, 2008 at 09:19 AM
FLAT OUT AWFUL.
what happened to red, white, and blue?
Posted by: steve-o | January 30, 2008 at 09:19 AM
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.
Posted by: jb | January 30, 2008 at 09:19 AM
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.
Posted by: Rob C | January 30, 2008 at 09:21 AM
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.
Posted by: J | January 30, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Embarrasing. Horrific.
Posted by: Michael F. | January 30, 2008 at 09:29 AM
I posted the Slate article that Rob C is talking about a few comments back if you're interested in reading it.
Posted by: BK | January 30, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Why does the jersey have to change, what seems like, every six months?
Terrible.
Posted by: Steve W | January 30, 2008 at 09:30 AM
major, major suckage...
Posted by: twakum | January 30, 2008 at 09:31 AM
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.
Posted by: Matt Mathai | January 30, 2008 at 09:31 AM
dont like it.
Posted by: eric | January 30, 2008 at 09:32 AM
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?
Posted by: Rob C | January 30, 2008 at 09:35 AM