Major League Soccer and adidas are once again throwing it back to the 1990s with the latest edition of their Archive Collection collaboration.
This year’s collection includes retro-inspired third kits for 10 MLS teams. For teams that were around in the league’s inaugural season in 1996, the collection “brings back some of the most iconic logos and patterns in MLS history,” according to a press release. But some other teams draw on regional soccer history in other leagues for inspiration.
This year’s Archive Collection builds on the success of last year’s edition, which included retro-inspired third kits for LA Galaxy, Sporting Kansas City, Portland Timbers, Los Angeles Football Club and Inter Miami.
“The first year of this collection was an instant success, giving fans the chance to represent a reimagined and remixed version of the most iconic designs from their franchise’s history, while also bridging sportwear, style and fashion to expand fandoms around the country.
“This year, we worked closely with the clubs to imagine kits that capture the nostalgia and spirit of their franchise and city from the late ’90s and early 2000s, resulting in a time capsule collection sprinkled with reminders of golden eras.”
— Edward Martinez, adidas Senior Manager of Sports Marketing, Soccer
Each third kit included in this year’s Archive Collection has an MLS logo from 1996 on the back collar, and front-of-shirt sponsor logos are moved to the back, under the numbers. Names and numbers are set in the same varsity block font that was used last season.
Here’s a closer look at each kit in the collection and the inspiration behind it:
CHARLOTTE FC
Charlotte FC’s Archive Collection kit is an homage to the Carolina Lightnin’, a team that played in the American Soccer League from 1981 to 1983, winning the league championship in their first season. The Lightnin’ played in light blue and yellow kits, which inform the colour scheme for the Archive Collection kits. The yellow base has a blue diagonal stripe across the front, with a “CHARLOTTE” wordmark that has lightning bolts at either end. The crown from Charlotte FC’s primary crest is rendered in blue and sits by itself on the left chest.
COLORADO RAPIDS
The Rapids’ Archive Collection kit throws it back to their original MLS look from 1996, with a dark green base, a polo collar, and their original primary logo on the front of the shirt. An original secondary logo sits on the left chest.
COLUMBUS CREW
Columbus’s kit was one of three in the Archive Collection that was “leaked” prior to the official launch; in the Crew’s case, singer Noah Kahan wore it onstage at a benefit concert in Columbus in May. The white base has black and yellow stripes across the chest and black raglan sleeves. The Crew’s original crest from 1996 sits on the left chest, and the team’s original wordmark is on the front of the shirt.
D.C. UNITED
D.C. United resurrects a classic look for their Archive Collection kit, with three black stripes running across the chest of the white shirt. Gold piping runs down the sides of the shirt and gold trim appears on the collar and sleeve cuffs. The adidas logo on the chest is red, as is the eagle isolated from United’s primary crest.
FC DALLAS
FC Dallas’s Archive Collection — which was another that was “leaked” before the official launch — pays homage to their previous incarnation as the Dallas Burn from 1996. The black kit has horizontal stripes across the front in the Burn’s original colour scheme of red and olive green. The adidas logo on the chest is white, as are stripes through the middle of the V-neck collar.
MINNESOTA UNITED
With their Archive Collection kit, Minnesota United celebrates the Minnesota Kicks that played in the North American Soccer League from 1976 to 1981. The blue kit features a pattern of tonal diamonds and a “Loons” wordmark on the front in the style of the Kicks’ logo. Orange trim appears on the collar, sleeve cuffs and side piping. The jock tag also has a cartoon of a kicking loon, à la the Kicks logo.
NASHVILLE SC
Though not explicitly stated in the MLS press release, Nashville SC’s Archive Collection kit appears to be based on the Nashville Diamonds, a team that played one season in the American Soccer League in 1982 and had a double-blue colour scheme. The white base of the new Archive Collection kit has navy blue raglan sleeves and light blue accents like piping and the adidas shoulder stripes. A wavy “NASHVILLE” wordmark is on the front of the shirt, with the circle and three stars from the Tennessee flag as the dot on the I.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
The New England Revolution embrace their ’90s roots with their Archive Collection kit. A white band containing their original brushstroke wordmark runs across the chest; below it is solid red while white and red streaks cover the navy blue background above it and on the sleeves. The Revs are also the only team whose Archive Collection kit includes front numbers.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
The San Jose Earthquakes crank up the volume on their Archive Collection kit, which pays tribute to the San Jose Clash, another original MLS squad from 1996. The white base is covered in a zigzag pattern that fades between teal, light blue, red and neon yellow. The Clash crest sits on the left chest, with a Clash wordmark on the front of the shirt. This kit was also “leaked” before the official launch when the Quakes posted photos of NFL legend Jerry Rice wearing it at a game in late June.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
The Sounders’ Archive Collection kit is inspired by iterations of the club that won championships in the A-League (later renamed the USL First Division) in 1995 and 1996. The base of the kit is navy blue, with a teal and white wave pattern on the sleeves. Teal accents also appear on the collar, sleeve cuffs and side piping. A recoloured wordmark first introduced in the Sounders’ “brand evolution” from September 2023 appears on the front of the shirt, while a retro orca logo that was part of the same rebrand sits on the left chest.
Each kit also has a jacket and adidas Gazelle sneakers in the same colours and style. Jerseys and sneakers are now available to purchase at MLSstore.com, with jackets coming at a later date.
According to the MLS press release, “The adidas x MLS Archive Collection is expected to return again next season, giving even more teams and fans the opportunity to represent some of the most iconic moments in their franchise’s history.”
Which Archive Collection kit is your favourite? Which teams would you like to see included next season and what eras should they honour? Let us know in the comments!
