Grading Every MLS Team’s New Kits

With the new MLS season set to begin this weekend, clubs across the country have been enjoying American soccer's version of fashion week. Several teams have released new kits for their upcoming campaign. Some will be looking sharp and fresh this season, and others will be sporting unfortunate looks. The MLS will start its historic 18th season, making it "the longest-running first division soccer league in American history," according to The Guardian's Graham Parker. But history repeats itself, as some teams failed to learn from the past and will be wearing terrible strips. Here are grades for each new kit that will be featured in MLS fixtures this season.  Note: Chivas USA's new kit will be graded after it is released.Begin Slideshow

Breaking Down Sporting Kansas City’s New 2013 Kits

With the MLS season set to kick off this weekend, teams across the league are unveiling new kits for 2013. Sporting Kansas City released its fresh look for this year and will be looking to repeat last year's accomplishments in style. After finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference in 2012, the club will not rest idly on its laurels, and management will hope the uniforms are not the only improvement the team makes this season.  But if it is, the team is still doing alright. Sporting Kansas City shared the new jerseys via its Twitter:John Moncke, the club’s Vice President of Stadium and Brand Revenue, is certainly excited about the change. He told SportingKC.com’s Kurt Austin the following: Fashion is an important element of the Sporting Kansas City brand and the new 2013 primary kit takes this focus to new levels. We wanted the jersey to be a modern kit that imbues the ethos of our brand, so we played a very hands-on role in the design process. The American game continues to reform and modernize, and the MLS teams must make this point clear with their kits. With this new primary strip, Sporting KC is doing its part.The ...

MLS Cup Playoffs 2012: Player to Watch from Each Team in Conference Finals

The MLS Cup is down to four teams, and each of the conference finalists will need excellent individual performances from their top players in order to come out on top. The Los Angeles Galaxy will take on the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference championship while the Houston Dynamo will face D.C. United in the Eastern Conference championship.  As reigning champions, the Galaxy will be mentally ready for the pressure that comes at this late stage of the tournament. Houston and D.C. also have multiple titles as franchises, leaving Seattle as the only remaining team to never lift the trophy. Here are the players each team will count on as they make a final surge towards glory.   Los Angeles Galaxy: Landon Donovan There are a few big names on the Galaxy’s roster, but Donovan does more on the field for his team than his fellow stars.  He is still a potent goal scorer and has hit the back of the net 10 times this season, placing him second on the team behind Robbie Keane. But Donovan is even more dangerous as a distributor, and his 15 assists is the highest total in the MLS.  Without Donovan effectively orchestrating the ...

San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy: Players Who Will Decide Crucial Playoff Game

The Los Angeles Galaxy lost the first leg of the Western Conference semifinals to the San Jose Earthquakes and are now playing from behind going into this crucial postseason match. The Earthquakes’ victory did not come without controversy, as the Galaxy were furious with the referee after he awarded a free kick in a dangerous position in the closing moments of the match. Victor Bernardez converted the opportunity to give San Jose a narrow 1-0 win. There is no love lost between these two teams, and the tension will be extremely high after this recent result. Kickoff is on Wednesday, November 7 at 11 p.m. ET. Here are the players for each team that will be crucial for their chances to reach the conference finals.   San Jose Chris Wondolowski, Striker The Earthquakes' success this season has been led by their attack. The team had the best record in the MLS during the regular season, and its 72 goals scored this year was 13 more than the Galaxy, who finished second in that category.  The driving force behind their unstoppable offense has been Chris Wondolowski. He tied an all-time MLS record and won the Golden Boot for the second time ...