MLS: Grading each club’s newest kits for 2019 – part 2

With the 2019 MLS season approaching, clubs are finishing their preseason and unveiling their newest kits. Which kits are the best (or worst) of the bunch?

MLS clubs typically have two kits for each season: their primary kit and secondary kit. Clubs get new kits every other season, usually overlapping their primary and secondary so a new one is released each season. As the season’s opening weekend approaches, more and more kits are unveiled.

There are a couple of reasons for club’s getting new kits so often, the biggest two being money and refreshment. New kits mean more sales, and a new kit every other year keeps things fresh and interesting for the fan base.

There is a love-hate relationship with new kits. It is impossible to please every fan, but in a subjective sense, some kits are better than others. Unfortunately, with Adidas being the sole kit provider for the league, creativity and individuality is not a big focus (for most clubs at least).

Twelve clubs will be graded today based on creativity, individuality, unique touches, and any sort of tribute to the club’s history (if applicable). You can see the grades for the other half of the league here.

Without further ado, here are your 2019 MLS kit grades.

Atlanta United FC

Atlanta get a new primary kit for 2019. Dubbed “Star and Stripes,” Atlanta’s newest kit “celebrates” their 2018 MLS Cup victory by adding a gold star above the crest, as is customary for the defending MLS Cup champion. Despite being nicknamed “the five stripes,” Atlanta now has more stripes on their kit, although there are still five stripes in the crest.

The new kit has black and red stripes vertically on the front and sleeves, as well as the lower half of the back. There is gold trim on the color and sleeves, and the Adidas shoulder stripes are red. Unique to the kit is a Georgia 17 jock tag with the number inside the state and a “United” motto on the back of the neck. Atlanta are the only team with this stripes template and manage to keep a classic feel to their primary kit while refreshing the kit as a whole.

Kit grade: A-