Ahead of World Cup on home soil, U.S. Soccer unveils ‘stars’ and ‘stripes’ uniforms

There will be no mistaking the U.S. men’s national team in June, when it takes the field, on home soil, for the World Cup. The U.S. Soccer and Nike on Monday revealed the team’s uniforms, which include two different designs: a red-and-white “stripes” kit and a dark blue “stars” kit.

The uniforms were unveiled for the first time on “TODAY” as the hosts were joined by U.S. goalie Matt Freese, who said it would be an “incredible opportunity, an incredible moment” if he were to be selected to the final roster.

“People say ‘dream come true,’ and obviously that’s a cliche,” Freese said. “But when I was dreaming about this moment 20, 25 years ago, we didn’t know [the World Cup] would be in America. And so, it’s even better than a dream come true.”

The “stripes” kit is louder, with thick red and white lines waving across the chest, looking almost like a flag moving in the wind. The “stars” kit is more subtle, colored dark blue with red trim and the shadow of stars sprinkled throughout. Both uniforms have a “USA” logo emblazoned on the chest.

“I think between both kits there is something for everybody,” Ronnie J. Stewart, global product director for Nike, said in a press release. “If you want to be loud and proud and represent the crest, no one’s going to doubt who you’re there for in the light kit. If you’re looking for that lifestyle look that works off the field, the dark is for you.”

The players had a lot of say in the design of the uniforms, from the fit, breathability, and fabric weight, down to the smallest details like the placement of a seam.

But these uniforms aren’t just for the USMNT. For the first time, all U.S. Soccer national teams will be wearing this same design, everyone from the senior teams to the youth teams, giving all of U.S. Soccer a unifying identity.

The men’s national team will debut these jerseys later this month, when it plays an exhibition against Belgium. Team USA plays its first World Cup match against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.