The LA Galaxy announced today, that along with adidas, Major League Soccer, and in collaboration with Parley for the Oceans, they will wear a jersey made from technical yarns containing Parley Ocean Plastic™.
On Sunday, April 23rd, the Galaxy will host the Seattle Sounders and both teams will debut these unique kits. The match will kickoff at 1 PM and will be nationally broadcast on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
All this takes place as the Galaxy celebrate their “Protect the Pitch Day,” an initiative to showcase StubHub Center and the Galaxy’s committed effort to build a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly stadium.
The Parley jerseys will also be worn by New York City FC and Orlando City SC at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.
“We are very proud to be working with a new partner in MLS and its participating teams to enforce the usage, messaging and awareness around the beauty and fragility of the Oceans,” said Michael Batz, adidas Vice President of Product, Global Brands, Soccer. “Our core brand belief is that through sport, we have the power to change lives and feel that MLS is an ideal partner to transport and establish this belief in soccer – connecting a global sport with meaningful desire to preserve the environment. It will be the first step to explore and expand future opportunities.”
If the designs look familiar, you’d be correct. This MLS and Parley collaboration follow a similar deal between adidas, Parley, FC Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid C.F. Those kits debuted in November of 2016.
The kits themselves are rendered in a grayscale that is subdued. There is a geometric pattern similar to the pattern of classic soccer balls overlaid onto the upper third of the tops. The MLS logo is rendered in white and black/gray on the right shoulder and the Galaxy, adidas, and Herbalife Nutrition logos are all the same color and featured on the front panel. The Parley and adidas collaboration tag is visible on the bottom of the front panel in its traditional location.
This is the first time the Parley kits have been brought to North America.
From the Press release describing the kits:
The new MLS white and gray jerseys feature alternative colorway details and are crafted from Parley Ocean Plastic™ upcycled from marine plastic intercepted by Parley clean-up operations in coastal areas of the Maldives. Once collected, the original plastic source is reworked into technical fibers that can then be repurposed for use in either apparel or footwear – and in this instance, the jerseys worn by MLS clubs. To commemorate this unique process of repurposing marine plastic debris, the message “For the Oceans” is featured on the back-neck tape detailing, found inside each jersey.
“Every second breath we take is generated by the oceans. And still, we are at war with the sea,” said Cyrill Gutsch, Founder of Parley for the Oceans. “We are killing it off in rapid speed. Now is the time to negotiate peace with our life support and to invent our way out of this mess. Soccer can lead the way. It shows what we can achieve with the right balance of creativity, collaboration and technology. Let’s accept the oceans defense as our biggest challenge and protect the air we need.”
While the kit itself is not particularly exciting, it is a change from the Galaxy’s normal home kit. And in this particular case, it seems that the message and method of construction are more important than the overall design impact.
But it’s a shame to not to be able to see the Galaxy and Sounders face off in their traditional colors. And it wouldn’t be surprising to find out that the materials being used limits the colors that can be achieved.
The kits will be featured by both teams during the game – not just for warmups, as has been the case in previous specialty kits. They’ll also be available in limited quantities, for auction, at the LA Galaxy Foundation table in the stadium during the match. The opening bid starts at $100.
If you’re interested in a limited addition Galaxy kit, and have the closet space for another hangar in your closet, then maybe you’ll want to bid on this Parley Galaxy kit on Sunday.
PHOTOS OF ADIDAS, MLS, PARLEY, LA GALAXY COLLABORATION
