CINCINNATI – Major League Soccer and adidas unveiled the league’s complete 26-piece collection of 2020 jerseys – including the second of two new 2020 FC Cincinnati kits – tonight at the FORWARD25 Celebration at Penn Plaza Pavilion, ahead of New York City’s Fashion Week.
The FC Cincinnati jersey unveiled tonight – the “BOLD” kit – will be the primary uniform worn in games played at Nippert Stadium, as well as selected road games. This past December, the team released its alternate uniform – the “Heritage Link” kit – which will generally be worn on the road this year and will be carried over through the 2021 season.
Among the celebrities, sports stars and influencers who modeled each of the league’s 26 jerseys at tonight’s FORWARD25 unveiling event was West End resident and local fifth-grade student Arlando Griffin.
ABOUT THE “BOLD” KIT
FC Cincinnati’s “BOLD” kit is one of the primary EQT kits released on Wednesday night. BOLD is a traditional half-and-half jersey that plays a royal blue half against a stark navy half to create a central contrast down the chest, signifying the on-field battle between two teams. The color play of the royal and navy also allows the orange, iconic EQT stripes on the right shoulder to stand out. Royal encompasses the landscape of both shoulders and sleeves, setting off the thick navy V-neck trim. The orange and blue FCC-specific MLS 25th Celebration crest is affixed to the royal area on both sleeves, just above a wide navy band at the base of the sleeve.
Additional design nods include Cincinnati’s city motto, “Juncta Juvant” (Strength in Unity), strategically stitched inside the jersey on the neck tape – just inside the trim – so all who don the jersey are reminded of the region’s deep civic pride.
The jersey also features an orange raised crown at the back of the neck – the first introduction of a new secondary club logo. The crown symbolizes the “Queen City” – Cincinnati’s nickname – and also both the club’s strength in the community, as well as replicates the crown atop the lion’s head in the club crest.
The full kit features navy shorts, with the FCC crest above the right hem and an orange adidas logo above the left hem. The players’ socks are tri-colored. Primarily navy down the length of the lower leg, they feature orange EQT stripes in a hoop formation around the calf and a royal blue flash of fabric at the top by the knee.
As an additional on-field option in 2020, the club will also be able to wear orange shorts with the BOLD kit.
GETTING THE “BOLD” KIT
The BOLD kits are available for sale immediately at MLSStore.com and later tonight at FC Cincinnati’s Instagram account.
They will be available for sale in person at the FC Cincinnati Downtown Shop (43 East Fourth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202) starting tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 6. The FCC Shop will open at 10 a.m. and remain open until 6 p.m.
Men’s authentic BOLD kits will retail for $135, while replica men’s ($90), women’s ($80) and youth ($70) versions will also be available. Prices are set by adidas and are universal across all 2020 MLS jerseys.
Fans can also have jerseys customized at the FCC Downtown Shop for $30 regardless of purchase location, with a two-week turnaround expected from the time the customization order is accepted at the shop.
* As a thank you to fans purchasing the jersey after work on Thursday, the club’s new Designated Player signing Jürgen Locadiawill appear at the FCC Downtown Shop at 5 p.m. to meet fans purchasing the new jersey. *
ABOUT ARLANDO GRIFFIN
A member of the West End Pride, the SAY Soccer program for West End children, Griffin modeled the new jersey on Wednesday among a cast of models that included Hollywood actors Colin Hanks and Jacob Tremblay, NFL stars DeAndre Hopkins and Boston Scott, NHL star P.K. Subban, musical recording artists Lindsay Ell, Murs, Trinidad James and Majid Jordan, gamer Ninja and internet trick stars Dude Perfect – as well as a host of MLS legends and current players.
Griffin’s selection was intended to exemplify the deep and organic connection FC Cincinnati has with the region, especially through their community programming and their fan base.
Griffin represents the club’s future – both through its commitment to impactful community outreach in the West End (the location of the future West End Stadium set to open in spring 2021) but also embodying the region’s youth who are growing up with soccer as their sport of choice.
ABOUT FORWARD25
Tonight’s FORWARD25 jersey reveal is part of MLS’ 25th Season Celebration in 2020. The season will celebrate the League’s past, while expanding on the foundation it has built over an extensive period of explosive growth. The Celebration will feature unique experiences, marquee events, robust content, innovative programming, and the special 25th Season commemorative designintegrated throughout MLS and partner initiatives – including the 2020 MLS jerseys.
The jerseys also feature a new font in 2020. The official MLS name and number jersey font for 2020 is a dynamic, energetic and bold graphic typeface that introduces a layering tri-line effect. The font was designed in collaboration with MLS by Rick Banks, lead designer and typographer of Face37, an award-winning graphic design studio based in Manchester, England.
In partnership with EA SPORTS FIFA, the adidas jerseys will be revealed virtually across EA SPORTS FIFA channels following the real-world unveil. Fans can also represent their favorite MLS team currently playable in FIFA 20 and use the jerseys across various game modes, including Kick-Off, Career Mode, and more ahead of the start of the season. More information about the reveal will be relayed on @EASPORTSFIFA social channels.
On Twitter, the use of hashtag #FORWARD25 will unlock a custom emoji featuring a jersey with “25” across the front. The emoji will officially activate on Feb. 5.
Tomorrow, FC Cincinnati will return from a 19-day training trip in Tucson, and will resume their preseason schedule when they travel to Bradenton, Fla. on Monday, Feb. 10. The Orange and Blue are scheduled to play the Philadelphia Union (Feb. 12), Nashville SC (Feb. 16) and KR Reykjavik and Sarasota Metropolis FC (Feb. 21, split-squad games) to close out their preseason slate.
FC Cincinnati will formally return to the field to kick off their second MLS season on Sunday, March 1, when the team opens the season in Harrison, N.J., against the New York Red Bulls. After a road game at Atlanta United FC on Saturday, March 7, FCC will open its 2020 home slate on Saturday, March 14, when the team hosts D.C. United at Nippert Stadium in a 5:30 p.m. game.
Season Ticket Memberships are still available for purchase and start at $230 per ticket. A 2020 Season Ticket Membership also secures fans’ place on the club’s priority list, which will be utilized when sales begin in the new West End Stadium for the 2021 season. Information about all 2020 ticket options – season tickets, multiple-game options, group tickets and individual-game tickets – is available at fccincinnati.com/tickets or by calling 513-977-5425 (KICK).
For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati.
