Best Of - 1990s MLS Kits - Much More Interesting Than In 2020
When Adidas released most of the new MLS jerseys for the 2020 season, people were not really happy with the design of the Three Stripes - as in previous years, many kits were rather boring, and furthermore based on the same template. However, that has not always been the case.
When MLS started in 1996, a lot things were different. In terms of kits, there was no league-wide supplier but teams had different kit makers - including jerseys from Adidas but also from Nike, Kappa and others. Now Classic Football Shirts have taken a look at some of their favorite Major League Soccer jerseys from the 1990s.
MLS 1990s Kits
The MLS jerseys of the (late) 1990s boasted typical designs of that decade - bold, outstanding looks with big brandings or eye-catching graphic designs.
MLS just had 10 teams ( Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Dallas Burn, Kansas City Wiz, Los Angeles Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York/New Jersey MetroStars, San Jose Clash, Tampa Bay Mutiny.) in their inaugural season, whose kits were made by five different brands.
San Jose Clash 1996 by Nike
Columbus Crew 1996 by Adidas
DC United 1996-97 by Adidas
Tampa Bay Mutiny 1996 by Nike
Los Angeles Galaxy 1997 by Nike
New England Revolution 1996 by Reebok
Kansas City Wiz 1996 by Adidas
NY/NJ Metrostars 1998 away by Nike
Dallas Burn by Nike
Colorado Rapids 1999 by Kappa
With a few different brands making the kits for around 10 different teams, it is only logical that the late 1990s were more interesting in terms of varying kit designs...
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Vintage Football Shirts
from Cult Kits
1998/99 Atletico Madrid Away Socks (Multiple Sizes) Reebok
1988/90 Germany T-Shirt (S) Adidas
2002/04 Liverpool Heskey #8 Home Shirt (XXL) Reebok
2012/13 New York Red Bulls Hertzog #6 *Player Issue* Home Shirt (L) Adidas
2002 FC Tokyo Away Shirt (S) Adidas
1998 Brazil Training Shirt (XL) Nike
2017/18 Monterrey Training Jacket (M) Puma
1980'S Puma 'Royal' Football Boots (Size 9)
2008/10 Arsenal Gallas #10 Home Shirt (S) Nike
2002/04 Netherlands Robben #19 Home Shirt (S) Nike
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Wears Arsenal Kit Inspired Kurta at Eid al-Adha
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended Eid al-Adha prayers in the Bronx wearing a kurta based on Arsenal's 2025-26 away shirt. The longtime Arsenal supporter chose the traditional tunic for the Wednesday celebration.
The garment replicates the navy blue design with red lightning bolt patterns from the club's away kit and includes the Emirates Fly Better sponsor logo. Photographs of the outfit circulated widely on social media after the event.
Mamdani, who has supported Arsenal since childhood, combined his fandom with the Muslim holiday observance in the city he leads.
Gillingham 26-27 Away and Third Kits Released
League Two side Gillingham FC has officially revealed its new away and third kits for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. Produced by technical sponsor Macron, the dual launch offers fans two vastly different aesthetics, pairing a highly elegant, retro-inspired away strip with a bold and modern third option.
The new Macron Gillingham 26-27 away shirt introduces a classy and refined look for the club's travels. It features a cream base, anchored by a striking central vertical stripe in teal and green. Adding to the tailored aesthetic is a traditional teal polo collar adorned with blue and white trim, which perfectly matches the detailing on the sleeve cuffs.
In stark contrast, the Gillingham 26-27 third shirt embraces a loud, contemporary design. The alternate jersey is built on a black base that is completely covered by a vibrant purple marbled, liquid swirl graphic pattern. To ensure the branding stands out against the chaotic background, Macron has utilized a striking neon mint green for the manufacturer logo, the central sponsor, and the trim on both the modern V-neck collar and sleeve cuffs.
Which of these two new Gillingham 26-27 kits do you prefer - the classy cream away or the bold purple marbled third? Let us know in the comments below.
Adidas Benfica 26-27 1994 Stadium Track Top Leaked
Apparel tracker @KamilBerberler has posted the first look at an Adidas Benfica Stadium Track Top for the 2026-27 season.
The Adidas Benfica 2026-27 Stadium Track Top follows the look of the other teams, based on the 1994 template. Benfica's edition combines two shades of red with white applications, very similar to Liverpool's.
