adidas have unveiled the official Major League Soccer jersey for the 21st annual All Stars game. Arsenal provide the opposition on July 28 at San Jose Earthquakes' Avaya Stadium, and it's the home of the Quakes that provides the inspiration behind the 2016 shirt.
The Three Stripes were tasked with the job of designing the bespoke strip for the All Stars to wear next month and they've whipped up a special little number influenced by the host city and club. Mike Walker, Global Product Manager for Major League Soccer explains; "Each year we like to incorporate aspects of the host team and city into the shirt. For 2016 the game is at the Quakes new stadium in San Jose, so we took inspiration from the club’s crest and the different shades of blue from the seats inside the stadium."
Look further into the defining details and you'll see core values of the league scattered across the jersey in sophisticated style. On the inside of the back neck there’s a maple leaf from the Canadian flag and the stars and bars of the U.S. flag to call out the two countries that compete in MLS. On the back and socks there’s the three stars from MLS that represent club, country and community, which is the MLS slogan. A further jock tag also carries the All Stars art, with three red wood trees that pay tribute to the reclaimed wood used inside the stadium.
The very best of the North American soccer community will take on the Gunners at the newest state-of-the-art MLS stadium hoping to build on their record of just one defeat to international opposition that includes the likes of Chelsea, Man United & Bayern Munich.
Want it? Pick one up here.
Photography by Nate Congleton for SoccerBible. Model: Sigrun Eva.
