The USA’s new away kit, designed by global
giant Nike, has caused controversy amongst fans, with critics saying that it
looks remarkably similar to the French flag!
Ironically Nike also designs the French
team’s kit and many have taken to social media sites, most notably Twitter, to
compare the US’s kit to not only the French but the Dutch and Russian flags as
well.
One fan wrote, “ Is this April Fools’?
Trying to look like France?”
One particularly aggrieved fan
sarcastically tweeted, “Want to see the new USMNT [United States men’s national
soccer team] jerseys? Google ‘Netherlands flag’.”
The new kit is certainly a dramatic change
from the previous navy blue away kit and carries the USA’s patriotic blue,
white and red in three bands. The majority of the jersey is red(as is the
shorts and socks to complete the outfit) with the top half in a bold blue
colour and white separating the two. The jersey also has a pennant tag that
features thirteen red and white stripes to represent the original thirteen
states that declared independence from British rule.
With many fans believing it to be April
Fools’ joke, it has been anything but a joke for the players who will wear the
jerseys at this year’s World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. Indeed the criticism has
arguably strengthened the resolve of the team who will be wearing it.
Many players have come out in support of
Nike and its latest design, including the Men’s Captain Clint Dempsey who said,
“I like the patriotic design and colour scheme and I think it will look great
on the pitch. Hopefully they will serve us well as head into a competitive
group [Group G, alongside Germany, Portugal and Ghana].”
Indeed, Nike has responded emphatically to
the criticism, with Martin Lotti, the Global Creative Designer for Nike Soccer
emphasizing, “The USA have a profound and passionate pride in their nation. We
wanted to create a design that reflects this in a daring and colourful fashion
to give them an even more imposing appearance on the pitch.”
Although the team kit should be popular
with both the fans and the team, not everybody can be satisfied. However one
can hope that with good performances the outcry over the design of the away kit
will fade away. Only time will tell if the controversial away kit will bring
the USA team a run of victories and success in Rio but as one philosophical fan
wrote, “ What makes a good kit, is a kit you win in.”
