Ranking Every USMNT World Cup Kit from 1990 to Now

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Complex Original

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1.

US Jerseys

Over the past few weeks, we have been introduced to a slew of new international soccer jerseys as brands prepare to showcase their design abilities at this summers World Cup in Brazil. The U.S. team will be there, in what is the toughest group at the tournament and they are set to be a focal team right throughout.

There is tremendous history with the U.S. jersey as was displayed with the celebrated, high profile release of a centennial version in 2013. We have seen the patriotic red, white and blue employed in most jerseys, but there have been plenty of surprise colors along the way. Since we are on the eve of the latest U.S. jersey release, we take a look at the modern era and the jerseys that have been released.

Here are all the US soccer jerseys that have been released and worn by the national team since 1990.

Bryan Byrne is the founder of SoccerCleats101. Got a question about boots? Hit up Bryan on Twitter.

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2.

1992 Away

1992 Away Kit

Brand: adidas
Worn From: 1992 to 1994

For the away kit, a royal blue was used, with white detailing. But that was about it and this edition had an air of extreme boredom about it. The same US logo was included again, but in white it was very unrecognizable. This one reminds me of an AYSO kit. Note that the 1992 releases started a short trend of placing an extra player jersey number on the front of the jersey.

3.

1990 Away

1990 Away Kit (World Cup)

Brand: adidas
Worn From: 1990 to 1992

The away jersey featured a striking royal blue color with white detailing. It featured a huge V-neck cut like the home jersey, but adidas chose to position the US crest in a more natural position, higher up on the jersey. The striking piece of the jersey was the large shoulder stripe ran from the back of the jersey across the front. In truth, maybe the US would have performed better at Italia ‘90 if they’d been wearing these over the white!

4.

1991 Gold Cup

1991 Gold Cup Kit

Brand: adidas
Worn From: 1991 to 1992

It was the inaugural Gold Cup and adidas sent the US players out on the pitch in a new blue jersey. There were some similarities between this edition and the 1990 away, but there were also some fresh additions. For example, the signature adidas trefoil was replaced with the now prominent triangular logo, placed just below the collar. Again, there was an emphasis on a large shoulder stripe, but this time there were 3 that all sat on the same side. It was a successful jersey, as the US team shocked the world by winning the tournament!

5.

1994 Home

1994 Home Kit (World Cup)

Brand: adidas
Worn From: 1994 to 1995

The World Cup came to US shores for the first time in 1994, and adidas chose this slightly radical design as the billboard of US soccer. It is a better looking release than prior creations, but the use of a wavy red line design on a solid white jersey left an uneasy, queasy feeling if you stared at it for too long. Maybe the plan was to put opposing players in a trance? There was no adidas logo used, instead the text version was placed on the right breast.

6.

1995 Third

1995 Third Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 1995 to 1998

In an odd twist, Nike went with a sky blue for the 3rd kit released back in 1995. It was a bold move and provided a fresh twist on what was created. Again featuring a color, this one looked more like a golfer’s polo shirt than a soccer jersey. In saying that, it did offer a classy look that looked even better when worn by players celebrating goals!

7.

1994 Away

1994 Away Kit (World Cup)

Brand: adidas
Worn From: 1994 to 1995

The most talked about US jersey you will find on the web is the 1994 away jersey, or the denim version. Nobody quite understands the logic behind this design, but we do know that the designers were looking to create a truly American look. The denim appearance with white stars and red detailing does create a pretty unmistakable look that tops many people’s list as the worst ever released. This was a release that defined US soccer and even if it was pretty awful to look at, it bears relevance as being an iconic jersey, one that illustrates the growth and maturity of the sport as it currently stands in the US.

Even so, this was the final jersey created by adidas for US Soccer, as the association looked to fresher pastures for designs more in touch with the game!

8.

1998 Away

1998 Away Kit (World Cup)

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 1998 to 2000

For the first time since 1984, the US team was placed in a solid red jersey. These were used in France at the World Cup, but again sadly won’t be remembered for the right reason due to bad results. A blue/white combo stripe is placed across the chest to create a cut appearance, while Nike stuck it out with a larger collar and lower cut neckline.

9.

1990 Home

1990 Home Kit (World Cup)

Brand: adidas
Worn From: 1990 to 1992

Competing in the World Cup for the first time in 40 years, adidas produced a white home jersey with navy trim and a huge V-neck design. For anyone with chest hair, this was not the most flattering jersey with cut sitting far below the standard length. The US soccer crest was also positioned slightly lower down, toward the center of the jersey. It all made for a very interesting design and it was used in all 3 group matches at the World Cup.

10.

2007 Third

2007 Third Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2007 to 2008

In similar fashion to the 1995 third jersey, this one sort of came from nowhere. There is no correlation with previous jersey releases and the choice of color is very unusual. Nike started with solid blue and added thin white lines to produce a pinstripe style appearance. There was sort of a Scottish feel to this one, yet it is still fitting of a US jersey as it takes on a very iconic look.

11.

1995 Away

1995 Away Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 1995 to 1998

This navy away jersey is a real classic and it set in motion a template for many jersey releases going forward. Nike decided on the darker shade as opposed to the royal shade used by adidas and it worked really well.  Compared to the home jersey, it is not a flip of colors, but each are moved to create a different pattern.

12.

2000 Away

2000 Away Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2000 to 2002

Continuing the red look, Nike took a red canvas and added pretty similar detailing to what we saw on the home jersey. Along the collar, a layer of white is added to replace the red and vice-versa. The Nike logo and US crest are moved higher on the jersey also.

13.

1998 Home

1998 Home Kit (World Cup)

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 1998 to 2000

The US team went into the 1998 World Cup in France with high expectations and a jersey that offered a focused, professional look. The primary white was spruced up with a stripe across the chest that created a polished appearance. Nike cut the neckline slightly down, providing a more ventilated fit. Sadly, the US struggled in France, so a jersey that looked so awesome will not be remembered as it should be.

14.

2000 Home

2000 Home Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2000 to 2002

They don’t come much more solid than this one, and by solid I mean the face of the jersey is a solid white color. There isn’t a great deal of detailing on this one, with Nike keeping things simple. The collar is trimmed off, with the remaining cut taking on the blue/red detailing. With the removal of the chest stripe, Nike is able to move their logo and the US crest higher on the top into a more visible position.

15.

2002 Away

2002 Away Kit (World Cup)

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2002 to 2004

Also taken to the 2002 World Cup was this straightforward away jersey. Again, that very tasty navy blue color was taken and placed on a blank canvas before some white detailing, in the form of single stripes from neck to sleeve, were added. What was different about this to the home was the fact that Nike chose to remove the collar and create a very high cut. This was the first jersey to feature this design and it set in motion a trend with future releases.

16.

2003 Third

2003 Third Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2003 to 2004

Paying homage to the famous 1950 US team that beat England 1-0, Nike released this signature jersey. It started a trend that has continued over the past decade on several other releases. As opposed to the original, this version features a blue sash that ran from the right armpit down to the left midriff. The original featured a red sash.

17.

2004 Away

2004 Away Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2004 to 2006

In similar fashion to the home, Nike created an iconic look with pretty much the opposite color palette. A navy blue canvas feature white detailing and the T90 circle around the number. In terms of releases, this is when Nike jerseys entered the modern game, with this version offering a look that could easy see used in the current game.

18.

1995 Home

1995 Home Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 1995 to 1998

Introducing the very first jersey created by Nike for US Soccer. It is a solid introduction with the blend of a white upper and navy/red detailing creating a truly iconic look. The neck line features a collar, giving the jersey a look that was modern for its time. And finally, that US Soccer crest was updated to look more in tune with what a crest should look like.

19.

2006 Home

2006 Home Kit (World Cup)

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2006 to 2008

With the introduction of the 2006 jerseys came a new age of technology and improved performance. A new material called Nike Dri-fit was used with the purpose of wicking sweat away from the body and ensure a lighter jersey through play. On this version, US fans were also treated to a completely different, and not to date replicated, design. A single stripe, composed of navy and red, ran down the left side of the jersey and right through the crest.

20.

2008 Away

2008 Away Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2008 to 2010

Nike went with something completely different for the 2008 away. Instead of sticking with one of the traditional US colors, they chose a dark charcoal color that sat pretty close to a black. There wasn’t a great deal of detailing on the jersey, so it did have a pretty bland look to it. Some red detailing was used around the color to give it a little bit of pop.

21.

2006 Away

2006 Away Kit (World Cup)

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2006 to 2008

Nike took a step back in time and redesigned their original 1995 away jersey. With new materials at hand (Nike Dri-fit) and an improved insight into the correct fit of a jersey, they created an updated version. It featured no collar and was much cleaner in its fit. The paneled sash across the midriff created the finished look, with the red adding a layer of pop.

22.

2004 Third

2004 Third Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2004 to 2006

Another throwback release that paid homage to the 1950 US team. This version is slightly different to the 2003 third release, with Nike using a red sash – the same color used in the 1950 edition. In other words, this jersey offers a much more iconic look. The only negative with this one was the use of a ¾ length arm sleeve. Many players complained of the feel and the fact it wouldn’t stay pulled up.

23.

2010 Home

2008 Home Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2008 to 2010

There is a very distinctive look about this design, with a two tone color combo separated with pin stripes. A white and light grey, or off focus blue are used horizontally to create the final look. Nike also added an off-cut neck to complete the final look. Again, Nike Dri-fit is used to enhance performance.

24.

2012 Away

2012 Away Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2012 to 2014

Again, Nike stuck with the sash design for the away kit but they added in some unique features. Front and center is the use of white arm sleeves on a Navy jersey. The final effect looks like a training vest! In fact, Nike was going for something completely different, as the jersey was inspired by the popular varsity jackets worn in high school and college. Across the tonal sash section, a darker blue is used in an unobscured fashion. Another nice piece of detailing was the crossover collar that featured red, white and blue stripes. In terms of performance, the shirt’s laser-cut ventilation promoted localized cooling and the fabric is approximately 23 percent lighter than the version designed just four years ago!

25.

2004 Home

2004 Home Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2004 to 2006

Another one of those iconic looks came on the 2004 home and away releases. Nike stuck with a pretty simple design and a blank white canvas on the home. Where the jersey will be remembered is for the circle placed around the number on the jersey. It is in the mold of the Nike T90 series and has long been iconic with soccer footwear. The US crest was also modified and move to the center of the jersey, just below the neck line.

26.

2010 Home

2010 Home Kit (World Cup)

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2010 to 2012

With the onset of a new decade and the 2010 World Cup came another round of jerseys that echoed the 1950 jersay and the iconic sash. Across the front of the jersey, Nike added a light splash of grey in the sash position. It was a very subtle addition that needs to be focused on to really notice. On release, it was the most environmentally-friendly and technologically-advanced uniform ever produced, made entirely of recycled polyester. On the back of the jersey’s neck Nike placed a graphic that read ‘USA’, while inside the neck is a graphic of a coiled rattlesnake. Inside the jersey, on the back of the gold-outlined U.S. Soccer crest over the heart, there is a similar coiled rattlesnake, accompanied by ‘DTOM’, which stands for ‘Don’t Tread on Me’.

27.

1992 Home

1992 Home Kit

Brand: adidas
Worn From: 1992 to 1994

As the US prepared to host World Cup ’94, adidas produced a much more colorful home kit. This time a combo of blue and red was used as the shoulder stripes, on a white jersey. It was an extremely sweet look that embodied a true US identity. The only issue with it was the bland logo that really didn’t offer any historic context or a look that screamed “respect us”. Note that the 1992 releases started a short trend of placing an extra player jersey number on the front of the jersey.

28.

2011 Third

2011 Third Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2011 to 2012

This one is known as the supporter’s kit, with the design inspired by fans. It came about as part of a “#RedAllOver” campaign, where US Soccer and Nike provided fans with the opportunity to write a new motto that would be featured on the jersey. With the same design as the white home kit and the blue away kit, the red version includes a blue sash and blue trim. All the same technology was included, with the environmentally-friendly jerseys made entirely from recycled polyester.

29.

2010 Away

2010 Away Kit (World Cup)

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2010 to 2012

Created in the same fashion as the home kit, the away jersey was made entirely of recycled polyester and featured the same intricate detailing that made these jerseys some of the most patriotic ever released. This time around, that cultural navy blue was used with a large white sash and stripes to evoke the US identity. It should also be noted that the positioning of the sash was a lot more modern on these jerseys, cutting across the chest from the right neckline to the bottom left of the jersey. The US got to wear these in 2 of their World Cup matches.

30.

2014 Home

2014 Home Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2014 to ?

The newest jersey on this list is the 2014 Home version that is set to be worn in Brazil for this summer's World Cup. Continuing the tradition of white, Nike kept things pretty simple with the overall design, choosing a more casual look that features gray horizontal pinstripes across the body and sleeves, a reference to the USA’s historic tradition of using stripes. The jersey has a white polo collar featuring red trim, a nod of respect to this iconic piece of American fashion and sportswear. There is also plenty of detailing added, like inside the back of the neck, where Nike placed a blue pennant tab that features the original thirteen stars of the American Flag. In terms of performance, this is the most advance we have seen from Nike to date. You get the standard Dri-fit as well as a new Nike Pro baselayer that is the lightest ever from the swoosh.It features increased venting and breathability with players having a variety of Nike Pro baselayer styles to choose from. These are designed for the varying temperatures and conditions that athletes will encounter in Brazil.

31.

2002 Home

2002 Home Kit (World Cup)

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2002 to 2004

Where the 1998 jersey’s lost popularity for the performance of the team, the 2002 jersey is remembered for the opposite reason. The US team managed to make it to quarterfinals of the tournament – you might remember the opening 3-2 win or Portugal, who were one of the favorites in that World Cup. Nike added in a collar, with a sewn in red underlay covering the cut below the neckline. On the sides of the jerseys, angular blocks were added to create an extremely unique final appearance.

32.

2012 Home

2012 Home Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2012 to 2014

Horizontal red and white stripes were placed on the 2012 kit, with navy blue shorts completing the look of the American flag. Nike took a new approach with this release, not only from a visual perspective but also through the fact it was the first kit worn by both the men and women teams. Both kits are visually identical, but the women’s kit is designed specifically for the female athlete to enhance range of motion. Dri-fit was again employed in the jersey, with the fabric of the new home kits providing approximately 23 percent lighter feel than Nike’s previous models. The inside neck of the shirt includes the American Stars and Stripes flag.

33.

2006 DTOM US Jersey

2006 Special Edition

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2006

During the build-up to the 2006 World Cup, Nike released a special edition “Don’t Tread on Me” jersey. Even though it was only worn once, it set a positive tone for the squad. The solid red jersey is broken with a two-tone sash that sits across the front. A white and blue were used in typical US fashion. It is also remembered as being the jersey that everyone wishes they had purchased!

34.

2013 Centennial

2013 Centennial Kit

Brand: Nike
Worn From: 2013 to ?

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of US soccer, this classy plain white jersey was released. It is a jersey that focuses on the tradition and success of the US game. Looking at the jersey, you are immediately drawn to the oversized crest that features the same style found over 100 years ago. You also get the classic neck and arm sleeve cuffs that are thick and hold a tradition look. As with the 2012 jerseys, this also features the same high performance technology. Dri-fit helps wick sweat away from the body, while laser-cut ventilation promoted localized cooling. Finally, if you watched the “Snow Game” in Denver, you would have spotted this jersey!