Like many other football fans around the world, I can spend hours upon hours browsing aimlessly through Classic Football Shirt websites. There’s something about looking at an old kit from the early 2000’s that can just take me back to a specific match, goal or moment in life which may have been long forgotten. Meanwhile, I enjoy looking through the wild designs that have somehow made it to production, the bold colours and pieces from around the globe. Although admittedly my personal collection of kits from the past doesn’t extend past my own club and holiday souvenirs, I am fully in support of the trend towards using “retro” shirts as a fashionable item, and for allowing me to spend far too much time in my own little world reminiscing on historic football games, long may the businesses continue.

So to celebrate some of my favourite football shirts that I have come across over the years, I’ve decided to put together my top 5 from around the leagues, this time, looking into the United States of America, and MLS division. Admittedly, this is personal opinions and not all tastes are the same, however I believe these are widely recognised as some of the greatest shirts from the US/MLS. Additionally, as will become clear looking through these, I have a personal fondness towards a collared shirt, fairly simple designs and more ‘traditional’ colours to the individual club.

Enjoy.

*We have decided not to feature any images with these kit choices due to image rights issues and wanting to produce our own imagery in the future. Apologies if this makes the reading more challenging or difficult.*

New York City FC 2017 (H)

In just their 3rd season of existence, NYCFC were becoming an established branch of the City group of clubs, and had their most successful on-field season as they finished 2nd in the regular season standings, and although being beat in the playoff semi-final, they had a momentous season. With legendary striker David Villa continuing to bang goals in, netting 24 across the season, the likes of Andrea Pirlo and Jack Harrison were involved heavily throughout. Despite losing Frank Lampard at the start of the campaign, it was a highly successful year for the club, and they looked damn good while doing it. Maintaining the sky blue colour scheme of their Manchester counterparts, the Adidas kit was a design delight, with a clean design, visible 3-stripe sleeves and brilliantly designed club crest, it’s very satisfying and stylish. With hints of orange to represent the New York City flag which is displayed on the shirt, it has monogrammed boroughs of NYC inside the neckline. Subtle details that Adidas always seem to be on-point with, and its a quality shirt. Also, Andrea Pirlo could make a bin bag look cool, so that always helps.

NY/NJ MetroStars 1997 (A)

Sticking in the New York area, we are going back to the now non-existent MetroStars, who in 1997 had one of the most amazing classic kits I’ve seen in some time. Now the NY Red Bulls, the MetroStars franchise had their second season in 1997, and had a respectable league finish, ending the season in 5th in the Eastern Conference, failing to qualify for the playoffs. Playing at the legendary Giants Stadium and with legendary journeyman Carlos Alberto Parreira in the head coach role, the club contained some fairly recognisable names. AC Milan legend Roberto Donadoni was in the midfield, World Cup winner and former Middlesbrough man Branco was in defence and up top they had current Portland Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese. Although the league finish didn’t set the world alight, they did make the semi-finals of the US Open Cup, and just like we mentioned with NYCFC, they looked damn good doing it. With quite bold striking colours in the home kit, their away shirt with a black and white stripe gives off some real Juventus vibes, and with their amazing crest and MetroStars logo across the chest, it’s the type of shirt you can imagine ‘cool kids’ desperate to get their hands on. It’s a very 90s strip, and for me the more subtle away jersey is simply sublime.

Portland Timbers 2022 (A)

As the new MLS season kicks off, Portland Timbers will be looking quality on their travels as their away strip looks visually superb. Labelled ‘Heritage Rose’ by makers Adidas, the shirt is the clubs’ first to break from their traditional colour palette, which would normally make this a horrific choice, but with the pink scheme and rose design in homage to Portland, the ‘Rose City’, it digs into the history and respect of the place and location as opposed to generic templates. Additionally, it’s one of the first kits that looks like a piece of artwork, with the roses beautifully represented. With a ‘Rose City ‘Til I Die’ neckline stitching, it’s one on my shopping list and I strongly recommend you seek one out yourself.

Houston Dynamo 2018 (A)

Sticking with my clear fondness for away shirts, this Houston Dynamo jersey from 2018 is highly regarded as one of the top shirts in MLS history. In the season, Dynamo had a tough league campaign finishing 17th overall, but they did win the US Open Cup for the first time in the clubs’ history, making it a historic campaign. With the likes of Philippe Senderos and DaMarcus Beasley in their side, the 2018 Dynamos will remain in the clubs’ history books with their cup win, and fans hearts with their terrific away shirt. Admittedly, I do not like the home version at all, however the away design is just terrific. With a simplistic design, simplistic and stylish stripes across the front, it pays homage to Astros jerseys of old, and creates a sunset style across the shirt. It somehow combines elaborate colour and design with a simplistic style, which works perfectly and creates a beautiful football shirt.

Chicago Fire 1998 (H)

Their very first season as a club, and Chicago Fire make a name for themselves on the pitch with their football, and off-field with their amazing kit design. With one of, if not THE best debut season a football club has experienced, they finished the league in 3rd, only to go on and win the MLS Cup through the playoffs, along with winning the US Open Cup and Brimstone Cup. Being led by legendary US coach Bob Bradley, and with new Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch leading the way for the Chicago side and Mexican keeper Jorge Campos at the back, they were a dominant side in their initial season. While winning everything possible and impressing on their debut campaign, they had a damn good kit also. In this period, only having a single kit design, it goes against what the club have become, and isn’t red! It was a white kit with a great design, very 90s and just fantastic. One of my favourite aspects is the numbers on the front of the shirt which has appeared rarely in various leagues, but something the MLS sides were going for in the late 90s. In addition, looking at their stripe across the chest and it doesn’t display a horrific advertisement for a company you’ve never heard of, and instead has in big capital letters ‘FIRE’. It’s just a sublime shirt and by the looks of it when shopping around for shirts on this list, damn hard to come by. If you get your hands on one, well done.