MLS is so back. Yesterday marked the official release of the new Philadelphia Union primary jersey and the end of the Union’s preseason slate with a scoreless draw. Less than a week until Saprissa away!

In the email today:

1. 👕 The Center Stripe is Back!

The Philadelphia Union have released their 2024 Primary kit named the “XV” kit.

The prominent design feature of this jersey calls back what was a Union jersey staple, the center stripe. While the Union certainly didn’t invent the center stripe, it became a part of the Union identity in the early years of the club. But not since 2017 has a Union kit featured the center stripe and the only players on the current roster to have ever worn a center striped Union jersey are Alejandro Bedoya and Jack Elliott. (Side note: looking back at that 2017 roster is a trip, remember Giliano Wijnaldum?)

Now Ale, Jack and the rest of the roster can rock a new rendition of this iconic look for the 2024 season. The center stripe is composed of a gold and light blue triangular pattern taking inspiration from the Commodore Barry Bridge. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the bridge that overlooks Subaru Park making for one of the most eye-catching stadium backdrops in the league. On top of the stripe sits the Adidas logo, Union crest, and BIMBO logo, all stacked centrally on the kit.

Not all are fans of the center crest, but it is the logical design choice for this design. Gold and light blue piping on the sleeves, collar, and sides of the navy kit make for a cohesive look that is undoubtedly the Union.

The “XV” kit pairs with the “For Philly” away kit and makes for one of the stronger jersey pairings in the league, in my opinion, although there are a lot of strong kits across the league this year. The Adidas deal with MLS gets plenty of deserved criticism but Adidas surely is stepping up their game and giving more creative attention to MLS, all thanks to Messi (I’m kidding, I think).

Fans can get their hands on the kit starting February 17 at Subaru Park for their “Art of Doop” event. The first time we can see these jerseys in action will be for the home opener against Chicago Fire on February 24.

Order Now >

-Luke McClung

2. Ⅱ Poster Commemorates Union vs Saprissa Part II

Doopy Brothers co-host Luke McClung has done it again. As he did when the teams met for the first time in 2021, McClung designed a special commemorative poster for the second meeting between the Concacaf foes.

The poster is available to annual or monthly members of Philadelphia Soccer Now or annual subscribers to The River End newsletter. There’s a limited supply.

Current members can look for their poster arriving in the mail soon.

3. 🐍 Tweet of the Day: A True Honor

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Jersey Reax

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Former Union player Michael Lahoud will be honored at Starfinder Foundation’s annual Cocktails with a Kick event on March 14.

• Kevin Kinkead isn’t loving what he’s seeing out of the Union heading into the season. “The Philadelphia Union’s 2024 season begins next week in Costa Rica, and they’ll be running it back with the team they just ran it back with. They upgraded 0 starting positions this offseason, re-signed two of their own guys, and only added around the fringes with young players who might not even play for the first team.”

• The Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals’ girls youth teams are moving from the Girls Academy to the ECNL Girls platform next season.

• Reading United has named a new assistant coach for their men’s program to succeed a coach who is now with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

• The first team played New England to a scoreless draw in their last preseason match yesterday. Head coach Jim Curtin talked to Sage Hurley post-game.

• Union II beat Colorado Rapids 2 by a 2-0 score line yesterday. David Vazquez and Alex Perez had the goals. So many 2s!

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