Kit Watch

U.S. frente al México

2011-08-12T14:56:00.004-04:00

Kit Watch: Nigeria

2011-05-30T15:58:00.000-04:00

The Outsider

2011-04-10T03:58:00.006-04:00

Remember when you were young? Shone like the sun.

It seems nowadays the confidence is waning and jibes are coming from all angles:

(@ min 0:39)

Lately he either doesn't want to or can't turn it up a gear like the good old days:

There are still some big games left to rescue his reputation. However, if he fails to deliver he will remain on

the outside

looking in

from the bench

against Wigan.

Union Whites

2011-03-27T14:14:00.003-04:00

"J'aime du chemise blanc!"

The Union rolled out a "surprise" all white kit for the 2011 home opener....except a couple of local blogs got the scoop on 'em a while ago. After being teased by the training kit fans thought they might get something new but 3/19/11 in Houston...

...no matter. The only bummer is that the new Union strip is pretty much a hand-me-down design from last year's L.A. Galaxy

GO UNION!!!

Red, White and Blow Chunks

2011-03-26T01:36:00.004-04:00

from U.S. Soccer: "Designed by Nike, the creation of the red national team kit was driven by consumer demand and completes a trio of jerseys, each representing one of the three colors of the U.S. flag – red, white and blue. With the same design as the white home kit and the blue away kit, the red version includes a blue sash and blue trim."

"In a campaign called '#RedAllOver' U.S. Soccer and Nike provided fans with the opportunity to write a new motto that will be featured on the U.S. Men’s National Team’s new red uniform. Fans had five days to submit their motto on Twitter. One motto will be chosen and embroidered on the sleeve of the players’ uniforms they will wear against Argentina tonight 3/26/11."

Dempsey seems excited. This shirt is not a new design and does not deserve any special roll-out. It's tired. It's a gimmick shirt. The "sass" should have white trim. All in all, a disappointment.

Fighting the past

2011-03-15T16:52:00.004-04:00

Take it back a few decades with Umbro and Nike.

Sweden

France

Club Deportivo Universidad San Martín de Porres, Lima, Peru

The new old look has fans confused - Why are we raiding the old dusty kit lockers? Fans these days want to know they are part of the progress of man!

Universitario de Deportes, Lima, Peru

Nostalgia's a Beast!

The Union's new shirt

2011-01-18T19:26:00.004-05:00

I guess the BIMBO logo doesn't look so bad on the new sky blue!....makes sense to me!

GO UNION!

Philadelphia Union: the new BIMBO of MLS

2011-01-13T01:07:00.004-05:00

Bimbo Bakeries USA, headquartered in Horsham, PA have just signed a 4 year, $12 million dollar deal to be the shirt sponsor for MLS side Philadelphia Union.

This has upset some people who have voiced their [hilarious] displeasure on fakebook. If you're into that.

GO UNION!

Timbers Take The Next Step

2010-12-16T02:51:00.013-05:00

YES!

After the awful job marketing the Portland Timbers with their new, cartoony logo this summer, hopes were not high in P-town for the unveiling of the beloved team's new jerseys. However, the folks at adidas have stepped it up and delivered designs that are both classic and Euro, with some NW personality as well. Color me impressed and eager to don the new jersey as I take my place in a renovated PGE Park this spring. Here's an in-depth view of what I'm looking forward to seeing on the pitch:

I'm glad they are not using the moss green too much, as it appears too neon and Sounders-esque, and that's never a good thing in the heated NW rivalry. And Rose-City Red! I love it, possibly due in part to it reminded me of the Arsenal.

While I attended the well-executed unveiling of the jersey in person at the Alaska Airlines hanger at Portland International Airport, my iPhone photos leave a bit to be desired. I did capture a bit of video which shows off the first-class presentation, and a jet any Timbers supporter would be proud to fly in. Maybe I can take it to see the Timbers/Union fixture at PPL Park? It's on!

Espaiña para 2011

2010-11-17T03:02:00.004-05:00

"Esperamos calcetines negros."

Kit Watch: Chinatown, Manhattan

2010-10-25T00:01:00.005-04:00

Kit Watch: "Who'd they play today?" Gooner: "We beat City three nil." Kit Watch: "No Way!" Way

Gooner: "Bye the way - that's one nil, not 10!"

Kit Watch: Chicago

2010-10-12T17:08:00.006-04:00

pics from U.S. contra Polska here.

When cosmic forces collide...

2010-09-30T13:26:00.013-04:00

adidas shoots for nostalgic goal....and wins! Co-branded with the Star Wars franchise of the 197os and '8os, adidas continues to capitalize on people's need for the lionized heroes of their youth:

Inspired by the 1988 European Champions Netherlands

and 199o World Champions West Germany,

adidas brings you "Republic F.C. 1977"

Then adidas takes it to the club level - with A.C. Milan circa 1989/'9o:

The Dark Lord of the Sith wanted to control the Universe...but he'll have to settle for the 199o European Champion!
Sleeve detail

Hilarious!

VfL Wolfsfburg

2010-09-29T17:24:00.002-04:00

Wolfsburg celebrated their 1st Bundesliga title in 2oo8/2oo9. Couldn't have happened to a nicer looking kit! Looks like the beautifully simple strip helped inspire them to the title.

"How the club became green and white-

The local youth trainer at the time [1946] was a man called Bernd Elberskirch, who had ten green coloured jerseys at his disposal. Bed sheets donated by the public were sewn together by wives to make the shorts to go with the shirts. The fact that not only the club stuck with green and white as their club colours, but that the town also adopted the colours, makes every VfL fan proud to this day!"

Like Barcelona with Unicef, Wolsfburg traded the Volkswagen advertising to represent the charity Ein Herz für Kinder

"Wahooooo! Das Gebäude brennt!!"

adidas Techfit

2010-09-24T14:10:00.003-04:00

Remember these? adidas' new Techfit technology kits...second-skin shirts that are supposed to enhance performance...

There's even a Techfit shinguard "sock/sleeve"

However, I can't help but be reminded of women's swimwear when I see these shirts.

Who Are Ya?

2010-09-18T12:07:00.004-04:00

While watching West Ham in recent action, I noticed they were sporting a new handsome kit by a company called Macron.

This little company has made major headway from its 1971 birth, "In 2001 the MACRON adventure in professional football begins. That was the year of the first contract with a big professional league Italian football team, Bologna FC 1909. From then on, the MACRON brand has become more and more visible on the jerseys of the finest and most famous teams in the world."

AND HOW!

This sweet contract is very much like the deal adidas made to be the official MLS league-wide kit supplier. These types of arrangements seem kind of anti-competitive, meanwhile limiting us kit fans to very similar team shirt designs (with different color schemes)...I wonder if Nike would ever try something like a Premier League-wide shirt supplier deal...

at any rate, the Macron logo is very celebratory by nature--it could be a fan OR a player with arms raised in glory...and right now it seems Macron has plenty to celebrate! A few more selections:

Napoli

Leeds Utd.

SC Braga

...and where it all began for Macron: Bologna - throwback style!

Engerland

2010-09-12T19:31:00.003-04:00

...you contain multitudes.

Kit launch

2010-09-01T01:31:00.002-04:00

I have to laugh every time "People react with outrage etc. "...each time a new kit is launched. It'd be nice to have a new shirt whenever one pleases but act sensibly and control your willpower. That is the power of a new kit! It makes people spend spend spend! Wake up!

C'mon Philly!

2010-08-27T17:55:00.000-04:00

Kit Watch: Philadelphia

2010-08-21T19:47:00.002-04:00

Jared enjoys being a Villan. His favorite player: Ashley Young. "He's got the pace and knack for goal that puts him in a league with the best of today!"

Na'm Sayin'?

Nike Kit Builder

2010-08-18T17:41:00.004-04:00

For all you kit nerds out there! Nike has a fun program that lets you create the kit of your dreams....within Nike brand proprietary reason...

Kit Watch: Đà Lạt

2010-08-17T14:19:00.003-04:00

Emily Hirshorn and Baw from Da Lat, Vietnam

"We spent about 24 hours traveling between Hoi An and Dalat (a mountain town - reminds me of Chiapas). First we took a 12+ hour sleeper bus to a beach town called Nha Trang. We didn't want to stay there and there wasn't space on the next bus to Dalat with our bus company, so we got some moped drivers to take us to other bus operators. We found one with space leaving at 1pm. Since it was only 8:30am, we hired the moped guys to take us around for a few hours. They were great - we went to see a giant Buddha statue, another Buddhist temple, some cool railroad tracks (??) where a couple was getting their wedding photos taken -they asked to take some with us, too. Funny."

"On the bus, we met Long, who lives in California, but was born in Vietnam and he has been helping us out ever since! So nice to have someone TRULY bilingual. He's been taking us to local eateries and encouraging us to try new foods. Adrianne is more adventurous than me. She ate a chicken fetus and some kind of cooked blood."

U.S. contra Brasil

2010-08-11T16:50:00.005-04:00

"It's throwback jersey night!"

"I have Kaká's girlfriend's panties - want to see 'em?"

pics from U.S. v Brasil here.

Feyenoord schoolboy nostalgia

2010-08-07T03:25:00.004-04:00

This kit would not fly in America...but a European highbrow team like Feyenoord would wear something like this and call it sophistocated post-nostalgia-ism. I don't know what to make of it. These schoolboys will probably get a beatdown, Dutch-style! Nah Mean?

Real Salt Lake

2010-08-06T12:18:00.002-04:00

new kit looks...Royale

Nice hair.

Olympique Lyonnais

2010-08-05T10:56:00.005-04:00

It's about to get mystical up in here.

away strip:

Europe shirt.

"Congratulations on your 2010/11 kits."

Less is more

2010-08-04T12:43:00.001-04:00

Kit Watch: Crow Wing County

2010-08-03T09:57:00.002-04:00

"Messi is my favorite player - him or Pele, they're both good." Luke showcased some of his kit collection along with some blistering moves while camping in Minnesota.

Palmeiras

2010-08-02T10:03:00.002-04:00

"WAHOOOOO!! Kit Watch!"

Storm's a comin'

2010-08-01T07:40:00.004-04:00

Some guy at Nike had a dream with lots and lots of lightning. Eureka! We've got it!

Brad Friedel toes the company line:

"I love lightning."

Kit Watch: Chicago

2010-07-28T15:08:00.005-04:00

Addison and Clark St.

Did you know?

These fellas work at Aon, a Chicago insurance company that recently signed a shirt sponsorship deal with Manchester United. They were pretty excited. Hector (on the left) had just come from a match and Paolo was anticipating Manchester United's trip to the States.

"My favorite 2010 World Cup moment? - It's gotta be our game against Slovenia- what a fightback!! That game showed our resolve to play the whole 90 minutes!"

Kit Watch: Hoi An

2010-07-26T05:11:00.004-04:00

Emily Hirshorn gives us images from the city of Hoi An, Vietnam
-a kit fan and a fan that has his London team seared into his being...

...a pretty good likeness!

The Ethos of the game

2010-07-15T22:20:00.003-04:00

Orsen Welles said films were canned reality - cans of celluloid that depict reality but are not reality itself. Of course life doesn't have a running K'naan soundtrack and slow motion doesn't happen (except when you've just let slip the most delicious sandwich from your hands and you slowly watch it plummet to the floor). This moving piece nicely represents what the game is and means to millions.

Nah Mean?

Quarterfinals

2010-07-07T11:54:00.005-04:00

Josh "Frankenstein" Eha breaks off some South Africa 2o1o knowledge for Kit Watch:

Some things I've learned:

The townships are where life is cheap but as vibrant as I have ever witnessed. They don't celebrate 4th of July, they do this EVERY SUNDAY all day long.

Braai= barbeque and impala tastes better than springbok tastes better than kuduu.

Everyone thinks the Uruguayans are cheaters and Ghana should have gone on but I know better. "That's soccer, baby."

The Nigerians here are the gangsters. Glad I didn't know that when we went out celebrating their win.

Mexicans are awesome with their sombreros and lucha libre masks.

Spain plays the most beautiful ball, thanks to Xavi and Iniesta in the middle. I hope they finish the job.

lakkar = awesome

Amarula tastes like a white russian. I did a taste test with the bartender in Outshloorn.

"I think the Korean [DPR] Army should be a star feature in Kit Watch."

Fantastic shot, Eha!

Dazed and confused...

USA go home....Eha goes through!

2010-06-29T11:39:00.004-04:00

Josh Eha from Rustenburg: "2 hour plane ride. 3.5 hours of crazy traffic on a two lane road. 4th row seats at the 18 yard line. 1 hell of a game. 1 overtime goal that stabbed us through the heart. There were some great fans and good fun to be had all the way around. I even got to congratulate the Ghanean team in person while on the hunt for a late night 'Perkins' after the game."

"It was well worth the effort and a nail-biter yet again. We were one of the more exciting teams to watch, coming from behind every single game. I've been getting some proper Euro props for our fight and tenacity."

1-1!!!!!!!!

"We can hold our heads high in the world soccer community. I still get pats on the back congratulating us on our come-from-behind yanks! The Ghana game was a great adventure..."

Eha and USA go through!

2010-06-25T13:19:00.002-04:00

Josh Eha gives us a taste of the U.S.'s thrilling 1-0 win over Algeria in Pretoria!

Nah Mean?

2010-06-21T14:26:00.002-04:00

Josh Eha in South Africa

2010-06-16T10:52:00.003-04:00

Here are some of The Frankfurter's pics from Cape Town and beyond. Check back during the tournament for more of All American Eha's sweet pics!
GO EHA! GO USA!!

The Business of Kits

2010-06-02T22:22:00.004-04:00

Subside Sports and the business of kits. This has to be one of the most comprehensive sites where a shopper can get a kit for each of the 32 teams competing in South Africa. (except those commies outta North Korea)Yowza!

USA contra Türkiye

2010-05-29T22:50:00.005-04:00

pics from US v Turkey: H E R E

Green Point

2010-05-28T17:03:00.002-04:00

Speaking of all-whites...

2010-05-20T02:00:00.004-04:00

Inter has a new road 2010 kit - must be the year of the dragon.

"Los Blancos"

2010-05-01T00:31:00.024-04:00

Real Madrid are known for their all white home kits.

The White Shirts owned Europe from the 1950's through the mid 1960's.

circa 1905 note: black socks

Guess what?

Santos were lining up in starchy whites in 1935.

"YES! All-Whites!"

Santos today

Everyone else just wants a little luck from the look of Kings:

Inter

....and St. George's Cross? C'iao!

L.A. Galaxy

Manchumpster Utd.

And you're like, "Surely this sweet Engerland throwback dates from the early 'oughts!?!?!?"

...think again-

according to Historical Football Kits,
the earliest Angloland donned their snow whites was 1960.

Thanks to France's no booze-advertising-on-kits-law, Liverpool's lillywhites look extra nice!

France

New Zealand

Ghana

River Plate

"Bueno camisa."

Udinese

2010-04-22T16:57:00.003-04:00

Newcastle Utd.

2010-04-20T18:11:00.006-04:00

What the hell?!? The Mustard on brown mustard on mustard kit may have spelled good fortune for the side this year as they are making their way back to the Premier League for 2010/11. Hopefully it will give them a new lease on kits! Na'm Sayin'?

I think the fans may be hungry for the old black and whites!

It may only be an alternate AND it may be a case of so bad it's great!

PRIDE IN YOUR SHIRT!

2010-04-14T16:20:00.003-04:00

Wear your shirt.

We'll see you.

1965 on...

2010-04-09T20:04:00.003-04:00

Liverpool has had an all red home kit. Why would they change now?

from: Historical Football Kits

peep the new sponsor!

GO REDS!!

April Fools?

2010-04-02T16:52:00.002-04:00

Or April Jewels?

I don't know if Liverpool will be donning this sweet as hell kit for special occasions only but maybe it will inspire a more fierce brand of football.

It seems to work for the New Zealand All Blacks ruggers....HAKA!!

Nike leisure-like

2010-03-20T07:03:00.003-04:00

Euro Nike went to the 2004 UEFA Euros Portugal on the leisure tip. To borrow from one gentleman's game--nay be inspired seemed only sporting.

Na'm Sayin'?

Marching orders

2010-03-09T13:09:00.005-05:00

When you need to call in the big guns. When the troops have to soldier up. When you have to defend the homeland. When you got to salute the C.O. When there's respect to command.

Call in the Chevron! Pseudo-military mind games! From the old-time coat of arms to the idea that the ones wearing the chevrons are in command- this gimmick has gone awol N'am Sayin'?

Chinese uniform

2010-03-08T06:28:00.006-05:00

This kit is a mix between middle schoolboy P.E.-issued uniform and the collared up styles of the 1970's and early 80's. What makes this kit so retro-authentic-great is the contrasting collar and its buttons. However, it makes it difficult to take these players seriously when they look like little school boys you can beat up and take trophies from.

Kit Watch: South Africa

2010-03-06T08:31:00.015-05:00

Nike Kits Plastic Bottles Nike Kits Plastic Bottles Nike Kits Plastic Bottles

The best kit going is the Scotland adidas home kit. That shirt should be in South Africa on GP. A handsome kit that does the whole fake-tro better than any kit out there.

USA's new strip looks too asymmetrical for some chumps. It's on the retro kick as well and comparing it to pics from the 50's they got it.

That's just the away kit though.

As great as 1950's 1-0 victory over Engerland was, people forget beating them 2-0 in a 1993 friendly. What about beating world #1 Spain 2-0 in 2009 then leading Brasil 2-0 at the half the next Confederations match? Recently playing Holland to a 1-2 friendly defeat while demonstrating quality (Bornstein aside) further supports my assertion that as an aggregate - USA is only trending up towards top quality. USA don't need to hark back to 1950 to get ready for South Africa HARK TODAY! Nah Mean?!!?

"I hope I can be magical by wearing a retro kit."

Let's face it. It has been a lot worse.

Roy Wegerle

Alexi Lalas