GOAL US writers debate the best kits from MLS clubs, with some truly memorable jerseys released ahead of the 2025 campaign

There is an art to a good kit. And it's tough to get right these days. There was a time in which football shirts used to be the kind of thing just worn by kids or Dads who had a few too many pints. Now, they're full-on bonafide fashion statements. It's a fair bet that our GOAL writers have a few jerseys for teams they don't even remotely care about – they just look cool.

And that's the point. Football jerseys are now wearable, ubiquitous around the world, and instantly recognizable.

This is all subjective, of course, but MLS, in recent years, has done a mixed job of meeting the criteria. There are some obvious issues. First, all MLS kits are made by the same company, Adidas, and tend to rely on similar templates. Second, the Apple TV logo can be tricky to mix into a design. And third, there isn't much of a concept of heritage design to fall back on – which many European and South American clubs execute rather well. Piece it all together, and it can be a challenge to make a winning MLS kit.

But that doesn't mean there haven't been some belters over the years. The originals from the mid-1990s have aged wonderfully, while the Galaxy, Timbers and D.C. United have produced some lovely shirts across the last 30 years. And this season is no different. LAFC, Columbus, Real Salt Lake and Seattle have all delivered some absolute stunners. Of course, there are a few stinkers, too – but that's just part of the fun.

GOAL US writers take a look at all of them in an MLS kit edition of… The Rondo.

Real Salt LakeWhat is the best MLS kit this season?

Tom Hindle: Real Salt Lake, going away. Does it look sort of like a Croatia 2018 kit with a healthcare sponsor and Apple TV logo on the side? Yes. Is that a bad thing? Not at all. Checkered kits are cool. No notes. Also a word for the LAFC white and gold kit – a truly lovely thing.

Jacob Schneider: Hello, Seattle (Owl City fans, stand up.) What an incredible shirt. The design is brilliant, the execution was even better and just everything about it reeks of excellence. It's the best MLS shirt we have seen in a long, long time – and it could arguably contend for the best we've ever seen, too.

Alex Labidou: This was a largely underwhelming crop of kit releases, especially in comparison to a banner 2024 batch. Still, there were about eight standouts and Portland, Seattle, and Colorado would be in the top three. Since the Rapids and Sounders interestingly went for the same water theme, let's give this one to the Timbers – who rightly amplified a classic.

AdvertisementInter MiamiWhat is the worst MLS kit this season?

TH: Inter Miami home. It's so, so, so lazy. Like, they haven't even tried to avoid making it look like a pink Argentina kit. Too on the nose, doesn't look good. No, thanks.

JS: Sorry, San Jose. There is way too much going on; the kit itself is far too busy and it feels like an elementary student's sketchbook in art class. The idea was there, the execution was really poor.

AL: A lot of folks are picking San Diego's and it's definitely not the greatest way to kick off an inaugural campaign, but the worst of a lackluster crop? That's tough to say. The bottom three should be SDFC, FC Dallas (which weirdly looks like a kit from their in-state rivals Houston Dynamo), and sadly New York Red Bulls (who last year had arguably my favorite kit in the Daniel Patrick ones). Let's go with Dallas here.

Columbus CrewWho had the best MLS kit campaign?

TH: Can't say that any have been revolutionary, but the Crew's whole Goosebumps thing was quite cool (even if I don't quite get the hype with the shirt.) Also, the kit itself is a bit medicore, but the premise behind the Galaxy's "rizon" jersey is cool, complete with a lovely hype video that shows off its connection to LA.

JS: The Columbus Crew, for sure. It was a nice throwback to childhood seeing them partner with author R.L. Stine. The books were fantastic, and the films were fun to watch as a kid, too. The kit itself wasn't executed the best, but the video was fantastic and the drop itself was perfect. Well done there.

AL: Strangely, the promo campaigns of these kits were way stronger than most of the kits on tap this season. They showcase just how far MLS has come from a marketing sense. That all said, let's give Adidas a shout for their brilliant Ian Wright-led commercials. The Cavan Sullivan spot and Lionel Messi campaign were both awesome but let's give a slight edge to the GOAT having some fun.

Getty Images SportWhat is the best MLS kit of all time?

TH: 2012 LA Galaxy home. The diagonal stripe is a thing of beauty, complete with the whole starry pattern that you'd have to look closely to see. Also bonus points for the Adidas longsleeve, which will always, always, always be cool.

JS: 2014 Seattle Sounders. Rave Green, XBOX as the sponsor, Clint Dempsey sporting the kit… it was a jersey that brought so many fans to the game. Arguably the greatest American soccer player of all time sporting it, a logo that sports/video games fans from all over the world knew AND an iconic color. It was perfect. It holds the throne.

AL: MLS has had some underrated bangers since its inaugural season in 1996. The Kansas City Wizards kit is all-timer, and the Galaxy rebrand in 2007 – because David Beckham – was sharp. The all-time best is the Timbers Rose City. It's always cool when teams take a risk that still overall ties to their narrative and local roots, and while it was a departure from their typical green and red, it made sense because of the story behind the kit. The Timbers this year and in 2022 were on point.