New York City FC reveals Manchester City-looking inaugural MLS jersey

New York City FC calls it City Blue. And the colors you’ve already seen on the new MLS club’s logo take to fabric with the release of the NYCFC home jersey

New York City FC calls it City Blue. And the colors you’ve already seen on the new MLS club’s logo take to fabric with the release of the NYCFC home jersey Thursday in New York.

The City Blue–worn by club co-owner Manchester City–powers the uniform, with white and dark blue detailing adding a bit of contrast to the otherwise clean uniform.

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But beyond the blue, NYCFC’s new look also has plenty of money behind it, with the club announcing a partnership with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (Etihad is also the jersey sponsor for Manchester City). Despite the Etihad Airways wordmark on the center of the uniform and the likeness to Man City's jerseys, the NYCFC jersey will still have plenty of New York-specific touches.

With the club’s badge—chosen by fans—inspired by the old New York City subway tokens from the 1950s on the chest, NYCFC ties to the historical culture of its new city. The last version of the Transit Authority token had a pentagon cut out in the center to represent the five New York City boroughs, similar to what appears on either side of the NYCFC monogram.

David Villa (DP)
Frank Lampard (DP)
Josh Saunders
Kwame Watson-Siriboe
Andrew Jacobson
Jeb Brovsky

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City Blue leads the way on the jersey top, but white plays plenty heavily too, with the adidas three stripes on the sleeves in white and the shorts and socks also white.

The official 2015 on-field jersey will include the club’s inaugural season tag, marking the team’s entry into the MLS. Additional details include the new MLS logo on the sleeve, New York City FC neck tape and the word “City” on the socks.

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​​“We are delighted with the look and feel of our first home uniform, which we hope our fans will love as much as we do,” Claudio Reyna, NYCFC’s sporting director, said in a statement. “Presenting it for the first time makes us even more excited about our first season in the MLS and seeing our team wearing it on the field.”

NYCFC announced that the five-year deal with Etihad will brand the airline not only on all the team’s uniforms, but also across digital platforms and within the team’s initial home venue, Yankee Stadium. Etihad Airways was named the official airline partner of the MLS in March.

Tim Newcomb covers stadiums, design and gear for Sports Illustrated. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.