CHESTER, Pa. (February 15, 2023) – Philadelphia Union today unveiled its 2023 “For Philly” secondary kit, featuring a pattern that was inspired by the 2019 playoff run. A watershed year for the Union, 2019 marked the first ever MLS Cup Playoff win in franchise history. The tagline of that season was ‘Philly or Nothing’ with a creative look featuring a camo pattern that mirrored the intensity with which the team approached all matches. With the continued success of the team that led up to their first ever appearance in the MLS Cup Final last season, the Union, in partnership with Adidas, re-visited the moment as a homage to a pivotal moment for the club.
“With the help of the Union Creative Collective and Adidas, we were able to allude to that initial spark of greatness while adding to it and enhancing our current story,” said Philadelphia Union Creative Director, Shaun Kreider. “Philadelphia is a city full of juxtapositions. We have some of the most beautiful art in the world in a city that’s mostly known for its toughness and determination. With this kit, some people see plumes of smoke when they look at it, others see water, a few people have said it looks like a painting. We love all these interpretations because, as our fans know, Philadelphia is not just one thing.”
The Union Creative Collective (UCC) was founded in 2019 and consists of season ticket holders, Sons of Ben members, Union super fans, members of the media, and Union employees. For the 2023 “For Philly” kit, the organization worked with the Union and Adidas to create a fresh take on that 2019 playoff pattern and produced a jersey that looks great on and off the field, changing out the tonal blues of the original for a gold and signal blue color palette, and adding in an additional artistic texture and signature ‘Philly grit.’ By changing the color palette, the Union also pay homage to the clouds of blue and gold smoke the club’s supporters set off during key moments on match days.
Additionally, a noticeable new and unique aspect of the kit is the single-color snake taken from the badge and sitting where the crest is traditionally located. The simplified mark is a first for the club and makes the Union one of only a small number of clubs in Major League Soccer to do so for the 2023 season. Another new addition to a Union secondary kit is the inclusion of Thomas’, a Bimbo Bakeries USA subsidiary, as the main sponsor on the front of the jersey. In 2020, the Union unveiled Bimbo brand Artesano Bakery Bread as the away kit logo, with the move to two logos being a first of its kind for any MLS sponsor and club. The primary club kits have displayed the Bimbo logo since 2011.
The 2023 Kit Launch Event will be held on February 18 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Subaru Park. The “For Philly” kit is on sale now at MLSStore.com, Fanatics.com, and Adidas.com.
Fans can watch all 2023 Union matches live on MLS Season Pass with the AppleTV app.
