Four-time MLS Cup champions D.C. United were selected by fans as the Major League Soccer team that has had the best uniforms over the first 10 seasons in league history. A poll conducted on the league's official web site, MLSnet.com, showed that 28 percent of respondents felt that United's black, white and red uniforms were the best looking of all the 12 nominees.
United have been sponsored by adidas since the league's inception in 1996, and the team's uniforms have retained a fairly consistent style since the very beginning. An all-black kit with white and red trim has always served as the squad's home attire, while they have always worn predominantly white uniforms on the road. The first-choice jerseys have always included adidas' trademark three stripes running horizontally across the chest. In addition, the club has always prominently featured their eagle-dominated crest, adding gold stars around it for each championship captured.
While many MLS teams have had several jersey styles since the earliest seasons, United chose to stick with their original color scheme and design, helping to make them one of the most recognizable teams in the league. Other clubs have drastically changed their kits over time, both in terms of style and colors. Uniform designs for the 2006 season have not been released yet, but United likely will not look too different when they take the field at the start of their second decade.
Coming in second in the poll was 1998 expansion team the Chicago Fire (12 percent). Appropriately donned in red at home, the Fire have also remained very consistent with their uniforms over their eight seasons in MLS. Despite switching from Nike uniforms to Puma following the 2002 season, the Fire have always worn all red with white trim at home, with a white horizontal stripe across the chest with the word "FIRE" featured prominently. The away jerseys have read "CHICAGO."
Taking third place in the poll was the Los Angeles Galaxy. The "Green and Gold," as they are now known, did not always wear those colors. Their early kits featured a more teal, black, gold and white, while they also sported vertical stripes 1997 and 1999. In 2003 the club moved to gold jerseys at home and white on the road, while both feature diagonal slashes from the left shoulder down to the right hip.
FC Dallas, the MetroStars and the New England Revolution each earned eight percent of the total votes to split fourth place, while the San Jose Earthquakes and Columbus Crew each garnered seven percent to split fifth.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
