Introduction

The 2025 MLS season brings a fresh wave of excitement with 30 teams debuting new kits. Adidas, the league’s exclusive supplier since 2006, introduced a retro-inspired template this year, presenting both challenges and opportunities for designers. San Diego FC, the league’s newest addition, unveiled two kits, while Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi-inspired designs continue to dominate sales. Let’s dive into the rankings of the best and worst kits in MLS this season.

Top Performers

1. Seattle Sounders

   • The Sounders lead the pack with a deep blue secondary kit inspired by local Salish weaving traditions. This design, paired with their minimalist Space Needle crest, makes this kit a standout.

2. Portland Timbers

   • Celebrating their 50th season, the Timbers’ deep green and gold kit features rings of the tree encircling the crest, a perfect representation of their heritage.

3. D.C. United

   • D.C. United’s cream-colored kit taps into the city’s funk and soul history, with a colorful pattern that spotlights vibrant accents.

4. LA Galaxy

   • Moving away from their traditional navy, the Galaxy’s purple kit resembles a sunrise, blending purple, blue, and pink with gold accents.

5. Real Salt Lake

   • RSL took a bold step with a checkered kit, combining blue and white with red stripes and a gold sponsor logo for a memorable design.

Middle of the Pack

6. Vancouver Whitecaps

   • The Whitecaps’ iconic white and navy stripe design remains timeless, with light blue accents adding a fresh twist.

7. Colorado Rapids

   • The Rapids dropped their crest for a state flag-inspired ‘C’ design, evoking Colorado’s snowy trees in a sleek, modern look.

8. LAFC

   • A white kit with gold trim takes inspiration from their inaugural season but elevates it with a regal collar design.

9. Inter Miami CF

   • Messi’s presence ensures these kits sell, but the pink and black designs are also smartly crafted, with subtle nods to Barcelona.

10. Atlanta United

    • Red and black stripes with gold accents make this kit a classic, though it could have used more gold to stand out.

Disappointments

26. Nashville SC

    • Nashville’s kit lacks creativity, relying heavily on navy and yellow without any bold design elements.

27. St. Louis City SC

    • Red and white kits continue to be uninspired, with only a minor collar design to differentiate.

28. FC Dallas

    • Gray with splotches of red and blue makes this kit look more like a training shirt than a match-day uniform.

29. San Jose Earthquakes

    • A poorly executed design attempts to integrate historical imagery but ends up looking disjointed.

30. San Diego FC

    • As an expansion team, San Diego had a chance to shine, but their generic training-style kits missed the mark.

Conclusion

The 2025 MLS season showcases a mix of bold experimentation and classic designs. While some teams like Seattle and Portland nailed their kits, others like San Diego and FC Dallas fell short. As the season unfolds, these jerseys will not only represent their teams on the field but also in the stands, where fans proudly wear their colors.