Ranking the new NWSL jerseys — Vlatko Andonovski talks Kansas City Current
The IX: Soccer Monday with Annie Peterson, March 3, 2025
Happy Soccer Monday! Confession: I have a jersey collection. While I can’t really be a fan of any team (objectivity, y’all) I do appreciate a good jersey. On the MLS side, I am partial to collared jerseys. On the NWSL side, my favorite of all time is the Orlando Pride space jersey.
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As for the national teams, I’m still kicking myself that I didn’t get a New Zealand Black Ferns jersey at the 2023 World Cup. Your friend who says `Do you really need another jersey?’ when you ask them about whether you should spend 100-plus on a jersey is not really your friend.
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Although I thought Japan’s jerseys at the SheBelieves Cup initially looked like there was blood smeared on them, they grew on me. And do yourself a favor: Scotland’s away jerseys for the Euros. Stunning.
But we’re here for the NWSL’s latest jersey drop! These are the secondary kits, (most) teams will continue to wear their primary kits from last season.
So lets get right into it, and no offense to the teams involved. This is simply my opinion. And it should be noted that while some of the kits are just meh, none of them are spectacularly bad! So that’s a bonus.
Let’s start at the bottom. I’m not a fan of the Chicago Stars new jersey because I like when teams incorporate city themes into the design. This is supposed to be “liquid metal.” Not sure what that’s supposed to mean.
Then there’s Gotham’s kits. The shoulder pads are making me think of the 80s. It was a bad time for fashion.
And then there’s Utah’s jerseys. I want to like them, I really do, but I can’t because of the sponsor. I know it’s a credit union, but America First says Trump to me. I can’t imagine wearing one in public.
The Washington Spirit’s neon yellow look is just a recycled Oregon Ducks highlighter jersey from back in the mid-2000s. Maybe the kids like it because it’s loud and brash. I mean, that’s why the Ducks sold a lot of those jerseys.
The middle: Jerseys that are fine. Just fine. Not gonna rush out and buy one.
Pains me to say this about the hometown club that had those wonderful “Ed Hardy” jerseys. But anything less than a really bold design for the Thorns will just never measure up. That said, I generally like black kits.
Angel City has a great design with its tribute to LA and its bold collar and sleeves. Just wish it was a little louder, you know? More Randy Newman Vibes: “From the South Bay to the Valley, from the West Side to the East Side. Everybody’s very happy, ’cause the sun is shining all the time …”
Fans wanted a KC Current teal kit, so here it is. It’s teal.
Similarly, the North Carolina Courage went all red, or rose. It’s kind of a cross between pink and red. I feel like the design team was like, `Make the pink jersey from last season but go harder.’ It doesn’t feel inspired.
Orlando’s new jersey showcases the team’s crest and that new gold star to celebrate the team’s 10th anniversary. Not a big fan of center crests, but this one is iridescent so maybe that makes up for it. The rest of the jersey doesn’t do much for me. I think that’s a me problem, because standard for the Pride will always be the space jerseys. Nothing will ever come close.
Now my faves!
Bay FC got TWO new jerseys, and the new primary kit is awesome. The navy and the orange-red combo works well. Very polished. Only criticism: I wish the Sutter Health logo wasn’t so big. It’s distracting.
The Houston Dash’s new kit is called Cosmic Storm. I freaking love it. Space jerseys RULE. Like that Houston went bold as they undergo a culture shift and roster overhaul.
The Reign: I love this design, I love the periwinkle and gold, I love the simplicity of the collar and the cuffs. The ultimate test of a jersey in my eyes is whether I’d buy it. And this is a yes.
The San Diego Wave did the best job of the water jerseys (Chicago and Royals). Of course, since the team’s name is the Wave, it’s a good thing that they’re leaning into the aesthetic. Seriously, it would have been hard to muck this up.
And while we aren’t necessarily ranking from worst to first, Racing Louisville’s hunter green kits are just such a bold choice and executed well. Love the V collar and the mint accents. Just really smooth.
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This week in women’s soccer (uniform edition)
The Equalizer’s Jeff Kassouf with his ranking.
Sandra Herrera for CBS with her ranking.
Pardeep Cattry with CBS took a deeper dive into the creation of the kits.
Other links:
Outsports looks at the “gay, lesbian or bi and totally out” players in the NWSL.
The Guardian spoke to Spirit coach Jonatan Giraldez.
Tampa Bay Sun play Gotham in a crossover match, love this idea.
Jenna Tonelli looks at the NWSL without a college draft for SI.
Thorns lose Weaver, Payne and Muller for the season. Oh hey, I wrote that!
Interesting story on the growth of women’s sports sponsorships.
Graeme Abel resigns from Bay FC.
Naomi Girma appeared to hurt her calf in debut with Chelsea. After the match, Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor said: “It doesn’t look too bad but we will probably need to have a scan tomorrow.”
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Five at The IX: Vlatko Andonovski, Kansas City Current
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