Alternate MLS Awards: Best and worst kits of 2024, from Minnesota United FC’s Starry Night to St. Louis CITY SC’s Confluence
For the Alternate MLS Awards, GOAL selects the best and worst kits of the 2024 season
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Reviewing a soccer kit based just on photos can be challenging. There are times where can a kit can look awful in the picture, but make a ton of sense when seen on the pitch. And vice-versa.
But whether it’s just imagery, or live and in-person, most can agree on the characteristics of a great kit design: it should be eye-catching, bold, unique, fashionable, and instantly recognizable (and occasionally with a throwback nod). The worst kits? Just the opposite.
So in wrapping up the 2024 Alternate MLS Awards and with the season coming to a dramatic close Saturday, GOAL US writers take a look at what worked – and what should never be referenced again – for this year’s kits across the league.
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ImagnJacob Schneider: Minnesota’s Starry Night (Best), Miami’s Throwback (Worst)
There’s no doubt about the favorite kit of 2024. Any bias from a Minnesotan aside, the unquestioned winner is Minnesota United FC’s Starry Night. It’s spectacular, and something that is versatile enough for streetwear, as well. A close second is the Portland Timbers’ retro shirt. The maroon color works so well with their branding.
The least favorite is the throwback Inter Miami shirt, the one with Miami Dolphins-like feel. Why does it even exist? Does it look cool? Sure. But does that matter? No. Throwback to what? It’s all just so silly.
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ImagnAlex Labidou: Sporting KC’s Wizards (Best), St. Louis’ Confluence (Worst)
Let’s dive into the bad news first: St. Louis CITY SC’s Confluence edition is among one of the worst kits ever seen rolled out by an MLS club.
The prominence of the Purina sponsorship is understandable and acceptable when the rest of kit overpowers it as shown with their standard uniform. It’s another when its on a bland, uninspired white colored thing that makes it feel like watching a 90-minute advertisement for the pet food brand as opposed to a professional soccer team. It seem as if this kit might have been one of the reasons why CITY was so cursed this season. Abandon it immediately.
On the other end, Sporting KC’s Kansas City Wizards kit is glorious. It’s the type of fit you could rock on all occasions and feels like it’ll be a collectors item down the road.
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ImagnTom Hindle: Portland’s Throwback (Best), FC Dallas (Worst)
OK, so here’s the thing. Franchises that have been around for less than 10 years do not deserve throwback kits. But the Timbers, 15 years old as an MLS club and so effortlessly cool, deserve every single bit of theirs. And it’s a real beaut, with the retro lettering, lovely color, and simple accent. Part of the appeal here, too, is that it looks as good on the pitch as it does in the streets.
Top tier. No notes. Well done, Portland.
On the other end, it’s not that this FC Dallas kit is that bad, it’s just so disappointing. The color scheme presents so many opportunities for creativity (give us the red and black stripes again). Instead, we’re left with this weird color changing thing. Not a shocker, but just potential wasted.
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Sporting KC InstagramRyan Tolmich: Sporting KC’s Wizards (Best), Toronto FC/St. Louis (Worst)
You can go any way for best kit, depending on your personal style. The Seattle Sounders crushed it this year. Minnesota United and the New York Red Bulls did, too. But we’re all vulnerable to nostalgia, right? And if you like nostalgia, it’s all about Sporting KC.
They did it. They actually did it. As part of the Archive Collection, SKC threw it back to the Kansas City Wizards, paying homage to an all-time great ’90s vibe. It’s spectacular, and something teams need to lean into even more instead of the bland, monotone nonsense we always seem to get. That’s not cool and classy, it’s boring.
Knowing that, there are a variety of contenders for worst kit. Toronto and St. Louis are the two biggest offenders of going with the most basic white kits. Please provide us with a little bit more spice next year. We all deserve it.
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