King of Kits: Protagonist Soccer's Top 20 Tops of 2020
While 2020 did not provide a whole lot of soccer to digest, we were able to get more than our fill of bespoke kits from everyone from Stimulus to Inaria and Errea to Hummel but nobody quite slapped like Icarus FC. At every turn, there was a new bomb dropped on our wallets and it was impossible to find space in our closets to store all the hits.
Before I wade, objectively, into a top 20 list of the best kits from lower league US Soccer, I want to pre-empt any objections to my exclusion of historic-based shirts or designs by teams who don’t really exist. If these shirts weren’t designed specifically for a current team to wear on the pitch, then they won’t make the list. Additionally, as much as you might think your favorite team’s Nike or Adidas shirt might be a banger, it’s likely a template and not customized to represent the culture and community therein – therefore excluded.
Lastly, and for an entirely different line of reasoning, kits designed to support a cause have not made the top 20 – this isn’t because they aren’t beautiful in their own right, but its my way of avoiding the flak which invariable would come with ranking one above the other. While that ranking would be done strictly on my opinion of the design, with no matrix or scientific method involved, it would suggest a ranking of one cause over the other and I have no intention of providing that kind of fuel to the fire.
That having been said, I would like to offer special consideration to the Black Lives Matters kits from Fishtown FC (Icarus FC), FC Buffalo (Stimulus), Forward Madison (Hummel), and NJ Teamsters. Additionally, the Plastics’ Anti-Fascist collaboration with Motorik is lovely and is worthy of praise. Union Dubuque’s Up Stream shirt by Hummel is beautiful and in a respectable charity challenge with DeKalb County United.
I’d also like to give a nod to MPLS City’s Futures Collection, their Primary Shirt (the one with feathers), and their Phantom iteration of “Dazzle,” all of which would have normally made the Top-20 on merit but there are only so many shirts from one club I can include! Same for you Providence City – your “Good Night Lights” and 2020 Away kits are bangers, but sheesh I gotta save some space for the rest of the clubs. So, without further ado, here are our Top 20 kits of 2020.
20. Maryland Bobcats, Maryland Flag (Icarus FC)
Maryland Bobcats did a lot of things well this season; amongst that list is their homage to the state flag. This was one of several nice kits to choose from, some from Icarus and a few from newcomers Ginga.
19. FC Milwaukee Torrent, Skyline (Hummel)
After a brilliant logo update, FC Milwaukee Torrent dropped some new kits on us, and while those won’t be available until 2021, their 2019-20 Skyline kits by Hummel can still count in this year’s list.
18. New York Cosmos, Primary (INARIA)
While it may not 100% meet the criteria of Bespoke, it is still original and produced specifically for this legendary organization by INARIA – plus, I want to buy one of these 2020 Cosmos Primary Kits.
17. NY International FC, Primary (Icarus FC)
There are more great shirts coming out of New York that you can shake a stick at and NYIFC dropped two more; an all-black home and a white with black sleeves alternate. There will be another all-black NY kit on this list, so I picked the long-sleeve away.
16. Space FC, “Electron” (INARIA)
By nerds for nerds, all three shirts available this year from Space United are worthy of making this list – if I could only buy one, it would be the bright yellow third shirt, “Electron.”
15. Green Bay Voyageurs, “Night Sky” (Hummel)
Ever wonder what a badge would look like if it was turned into a shirt? Wonder no longer – this “Nigh Sky” beauty by Hummel is simple, but beautiful and worthy of your attention.
14. Snohomish County FC, Magenta Scales (Icarus FC)
Last year, Snohomish County FC released a couple of pretty unique kits featuring scales like those found on the salmon in the rivers of Washington. This year they introduced a fashionable magenta interpretation - and its fishtastic.
13. Temecula FC, Home (Hummel)
No frills, nothing flashy, Temecula FC’s 2020 red home kit with classic sash is absolutely perfect in its timeless simplicity. A shirt you can wear to the match, play in or just rock it out and about.
12. New Amsterdam FC, Primary (Errea)
The only in our list entry by kit-maker Errea this year, but it’s a gem. From the sublimated map of NY to the Empire State Building sleeve detail, this NAFC Home shirt is gorgeous!
11. Louisville Metro, “The Cabbie” (Icarus FC)
Before they had a chance to update their badge, Louisville Metro FC released “The Cabbie.” A beautiful shirt, rich in details from the sublimated fleur de lis to the metro check pattern, this one’s worth hunting down.
10. Lansing Common, Primary (Money Ball)
Officially, THIS shirt will be worn in their 2021 season, but when I reached out about it, they were able to show me a photo of the shirt and show that it’s been manufactured in 2020… technically.
9. Palm Beach Breakers AFC, Third (Icarus FC)
What an incredible and colorful shirt – maybe not one to wear on a date – but then again, why the heck not? Show your true colors in THIS flashy shirt by Icarus.
8. Chattanooga FC, Primary (Hummel)
I was torn on this one, but I went with the home shirt – the white away is lovely and the pink keeper shirt was, well, a keeper you can take your pick HERE any choice you make, you win.
7. Fishtown FC, Primary (Icarus FC)
I honestly struggled with this one because I think their home shirt flew under the radar – but also because there are two other great Fishtown shirts at least announced this year – this means one of them might make the list next year – because that’s how I’m doing this.
6. MPLS City, MC2 Home (Stimulus)
This year, MPLS City released 10 kits altogether – I mean, each one has is purpose and 10 isn’t really a lot of shirts to try to buy… but if I were limited to one or two then my second choice might be “MC2 Home” with a lightning bolt-ish embellishment reminiscent of a David Bowie poster and the marketing opportunity wasn’t lost on them – which I’m very grateful for.
5. Atlantic City FC, “Fireworks at Night” (Icarus FC)
Pick one, I mean, they’re both fantastic – the home and away iterations of the Atlantic City Fireworks display are dynamic and absolutely stunning, I couldn’t resist ordering the “Night” kit, but the “Fireworks on the Boardwalk” light shirt is a great choice too.
4. Providence City FC, Treat Yo Self (INARIA)
COME ON! This was one I couldn’t even believe was made when I first saw it teased, but then editor Dan Vaughn bought one and holy moley what a… TREAT
3. MPLS City SC, “Dazzle” (Stimulus)
The kit so nice you saw it twice – Manchester United ripped them off and failed to do it any justice. The “Dazzle” shirt was so stunning, I had to pick up a long-sleeve option. (not enough long-sleeve kits out there to be honest)
2. Forward Madison’s Drip (Hummel)
For two years in a row, Forward Madison has raised the bar on fashion forward soccer shirts in the US – this time around, the whole world was watching this shirt blew up. In 2020, they also released a few other nice shirts but none of them impressed like this one – check them out HERE
1. Providence City FC, HAMR re-issue (INARIA)
The number one shirt of the year, for me, is a re-issue of their HAMR shirt. For reasons some know and others don’t, Providence City made this available, again, but this time by INARIA and while it’s hard to imagine it being better than the first time around… it’s better than the first time around. For the year 2020, Providence City FC is the Protagonist Soccer King of Kits!