DCFC’s Smoke Charity Shirt is fantastic and we struggled with excluding it, but by definition, it falls into the category of charity and promotion…

Protagonist received well over sixty submissions for consideration in our top 21 list of kits for this year - despite nearly half of those being for the exact same shirt (I think they thought it was a vote?) We still had enough suggestions, and opinions of our own, to create a list sure to ruffle some feathers and simultaneously warm some folks’ heart cockles.

Before we even get started on this list, which may or may not incite violence (please don’t choose violence) we want to acknowledge the dedication many clubs have to releasing shirts which recognize social campaigns and the ongoing fight for inclusivity and equality. It would be treading on thin ice to include those meaningful shirts in a meaningless ranked list - feelings could be hurt and there could be a resulting misconception about who finds what type of injustice most unjust. We refuse to add fuel to that particular fire and instead commend all efforts to raise awareness of the continued battles our brothers, sisters, readers, and haters are engaged in.

To be fair, this throwback shirt by New Mexico United very nearly made the list…

Additionally, we are reluctant to add historic kits, throwback shirts or fashion tops for clubs which don’t exist into the list (this includes our own Vital Vintage Robins Drydock shirt by Icarus). While the designs and execution may be fantastic, for the purposes of celebrating the creativity and marketability of teams all over the spectrum of soccer in the US, we feel its better to highlight those who need the kudos the most and that a shirt sale could help get a player on the pitch.

Finally, while this list is presented in a ranked format, please realize how difficult it really is to do that - these are more like 1A, 1B, 1C… etc. While our collective pocketbooks only allow us to buy a few of these each year, it has been an absolute delight to receive what we can in our mailboxes and look forward to getting a few more as soon as possible. Obviously, not every great shirt can make this list, and clubs with more than one shirt have also made it doubly (in some cases triply) difficult to pick who’s in and who’s out. Some shirts who received nominations but we just don’t have the space include: Union Omaha (Nike), Columbus Eagles (Errea), Hayward Wolfpack (Ballistic), Bell County FC (Diaza), Detroit City FC (Adidas), Queen City FC (Sportiff), Peachtree FC (Icarus), San Antonio FC (Nike), Duluth FC (Ballistic), Deer Park Rangers (Icarus) and Chattanooga FC (Hummel); so, without further ado…

NUMBER 21 - Inter Detroit FC, Primary (Diaza)
”Metro Detroit’s Most Diverse Soccer Club” celebrates culture and heritage with this emerald of a kit by Diaza which kicks off our Top 21 Tops of 2021.

Contact Inter Detroit **HERE** for information about their shirts

NUMBER 20 - Potros FC, Third Shirt (Volare Athletic)
A vibrant and fun use of the hydro dip look and shout out to a brand we haven’t heard of but are more than happy to see get on the list!

NUMBER 19 - Tallahassee Soccer Club, “Golden Touch” (Diaza)
Diaza has worked on a few great shirts this year, few better than this dazzling golden nugget.

Shop Tallahassee Soccer Club shirts **HERE**

NUMBER 18 - Milwaukee Torrent FC, “Cream City” (Hummel)
Torrent is one of those clubs who put out more than one shirt which could have been included in this list - this creamy map of Milwaukee , however, is my favorite of the bunch.

Shop Milwaukee Torrent FC shirts **HERE**

NUMBER 17 - New York Contour United, Secondary (Diaza)
While their primary is also a nice shirt, the topographical “contour” lines give the shirt a great look and a fun bit of A double entendre.

NUMBER 16 - Great White Buffalo, Minty Fresh (Hope & Glory)
This fun club from the BDSL dropped an equally fun shirt this year. The colorway may be a bit much to wear to the grocery store or on date night… if you’re a coward.

Reach out to Great White Buffalo for a kit **HERE**

NUMBER 15 - FC Buffalo, 7720 Shirt (Stimulus)
The shirt is an homage to former Buffalo mayor Jimmy Griffin, who in 1985, said “Stay inside and grab a six pack” when asked about what to do during a blizzard. On the back of the collar is a “six-pack” of snowflakes which tells the story a little more succinctly.

NUMBER 14 - Cleveland SC, Secondary (Un1tus)
The “New Look” shirts were announced by the club in November of 2020 and Cleveland SC wore both the Primary and Secondary well. I’m a sucker for a chevron and so few clubs even try to use that element.

NUMBER 13 - Green Bay Voyageurs, Home (Hummel)
All three shirts released by Hummel for Green Bay this year were attractive, but this one in particular was so fantastic that the starS led its way to the list.

NUMBER 12 - Little Rock Rangers, Primary (Adidas)
Despite coming in from one of the big brands, this shirt is perfect. If you’re a fan of hoops and just a simple custom sublimation, this is the beauty for you.

Shop Little Rock Rangers shirts **HERE**

NUMBER 11 - Ocean Way FC, “Wave” (Inaria)
A Bright and beautiful shirt from Inaria - we just learned about this club through a nomination for this shirt and are looking forward to what’s yet to come.

NUMBER 10 - Lansing Common, “Robins Egg” (Money Ball)
This is truly one of my favorite shirts of the year - sublimating the pattern of their mascot’s eggs is original and it comes off as an attractive shirt as well.

Shop for Lansing Common FC shirts **HERE**

NUMBER 9 - New Amsterdam FC, Away (Icarus)
Pick ‘em - another grouping of three brilliant tops by Icarus, this time for NAFC. This away shirt is the one remaining on my wish list. Bright orange and white reminiscent of its Dutch heritage.

NUMBER 8 - Motorik FC, “Koncept Kitz” (Icarus)
They made great use of a sort of electrified hydro dip style - Motorik is always on point with their designs and this one is magnificent and deserving of a spot in the top 21.

Shop Motorik FC Alexandria shirts **HERE**

NUMBER 7 - PDX Football Club, “Willamette / Away” (Hummel)
How could I not love this shirt… I designed it! Timber Flynn gave me an assist creating the 3D model which sold the concept to PDX FC, and though we’re all waiting for the shirt to arrive in the mail, it made it to the top 21 tops list upon its own merit, along with a dash of bias.

NUMBER 6 - Forward Madison, Reversible (Hummel)
They’ve got to stop - they’re going to hurt themselves and others! Forward Madison dropped… seven shirts this year, including a training top, and if I were a fan I’d be pissed. My structural and financial integrity of my wallet would be severely tested. For the sake of picking just one for the list, the very clever reversible shirt gets the nod - but the other six shirts are nothing to shake a stick at and you’ll go broke trying.

NUMBER 5 - Palm Beach Breakers AFC, “Breakers PI” (Icarus)
They did it, they really did it. Palm Beach Breakers and Icarus made a tropical print look wearable both off and ON the pitch. Brilliant design and execution.

NUMBER 4 - MPLS City, “Retina Blast” (Stimulus)
The shirt’s design was first released in 2019, but the shirt made its debut on the pitch in 2021 and of the shirts MPLS City have worn this past year, this was my very favorite. We’ve seen what they have cooking for 2022 and it looks tasty.

NUMBER 3 - Fishtown FC, Primary (Icarus)
I was so disappointed with myself for missing this that I just reached out to the club to see if I could buy a match-worn shirt, just so that I can own one… phenomenal top!

NUMBER 2 - Providence City FC, “Make A Splash” (Inaria)
I know, I know the Death by Paisley and No Quarter Kits are to die for but the conditions I’m working in allow me to only pick one of their fantastic shirts to highlight in this list and I’m affected by recency bias - the long sleeves and fun design on the Make a Splash kit a no-brainer for me.

NUMBER 1 - Maryland Bobcats, “Glitch” (Hummel)
Look, seriously, all four of these shirts are special and should have an individual spot on the list. The “Glitch” shirt was so unique for me that it was my very favorite shirt of the year from the second I saw it. I own one, and honestly, I’ve got an eye on their website for sales to pick up the others. For 2021, MD Bobcats and Hummel take the Protagonist Crown of the Kits.

NUMBER 21 - Inter Detroit FC, Primary (Diaza)”Metro Detroit’s Most Diverse Soccer Club” celebrates culture and heritage with this emerald of a kit by Diaza which kicks off our Top 21 Tops of 2021.

NUMBER 20 - Potros FC, Third Shirt (Volare Athletic) A vibrant and fun use of the hydro dip look and shout out to a brand we haven’t heard of but are more than happy to see get on the list!

NUMBER 19 - Tallahassee Soccer Club, “Golden Touch” (Diaza) Diaza has worked on a few great shirts this year, few better than this dazzling golden nugget.

NUMBER 18 - Milwaukee Torrent FC, “Cream City” (Hummel)Torrent is one of those clubs who put out more than one shirt which could have been included in this list - this creamy map of Milwaukee , however, is my favorite of the bunch.

NUMBER 17 - New York Contour United, Secondary (Diaza)While their primary is also a nice shirt, the topographical “contour” lines give the shirt a great look and a fun bit of A double entendre.

NUMBER 16 - Great White Buffalo, Minty Fresh (Hope & Glory) This fun club from the BDSL dropped an equally fun shirt this year. The colorway may be a bit much to wear to the grocery store or on date night… if you’re a coward.

NUMBER 14 - Cleveland SC, Secondary (Un1tus) The “New Look” shirts were announced by the club in November of 2020 and Cleveland SC wore both the Primary and Secondary well. I’m a sucker for a chevron and so few clubs even try to use that element.

NUMBER 13 - Green Bay Voyageurs, Home (Hummel) All three shirts released by Hummel for Green Bay this year were attractive, but this one in particular was so fantastic that the starS led its way to the list.

NUMBER 12 - Little Rock Rangers, Primary (Adidas) Despite coming in from one of the big brands, this shirt is perfect. If you’re a fan of hoops and just a simple custom sublimation, this is the beauty for you.

NUMBER 11 - Ocean Way FC, “Wave” (Inaria)A Bright and beautiful shirt from Inaria - we just learned about this club through a nomination for this shirt and are looking forward to what’s yet to come.

NUMBER 10 - Lansing Common, “Robins Egg” (Money Ball) This is truly one of my favorite shirts of the year - sublimating the pattern of their mascot’s eggs is original and it comes off as an attractive shirt as well.

NUMBER 9 - New Amsterdam FC, Away (Icarus)Pick ‘em - another grouping of three brilliant tops by Icarus, this time for NAFC. This away shirt is the one remaining on my wish list. Bright orange and white reminiscent of its Dutch heritage.

NUMBER 8 - Motorik FC, “Koncept Kitz” (Icarus)They made great use of a sort of electrified hydro dip style - Motorik is always on point with their designs and this one is magnificent and deserving of a spot in the top 21.

NUMBER 5 - Palm Beach Breakers AFC, “Breakers PI” (Icarus) They did it, they really did it. Palm Beach Breakers and Icarus made a tropical print look wearable both off and ON the pitch. Brilliant design and execution.

NUMBER 4 - MPLS City, “Retina Blast” (Stimulus)The shirt’s design was first released in 2019, but the shirt made its debut on the pitch in 2021 and of the shirts MPLS City have worn this past year, this was my very favorite. We’ve seen what they have cooking for 2022 and it looks tasty.

NUMBER 3 - Fishtown FC, Primary (Icarus)I was so disappointed with myself for missing this that I just reached out to the club to see if I could buy a match-worn shirt, just so that I can own one… phenomenal top!