KitSZN: The Classic Episode
If you like classic kits, this is the week for you. From Greenville to Sioux Falls, it's a classic set of kits.
Each week we will highlight and talk about 4 kits from across the USL. Each kit is rated 1-5 based on four categories:
Design & Aesthetics
Authenticity & Tradition
Visual Details & Execution
Innovation & Impact
We then average the score between myself and my Co-Host Fox for our overall score. So without further ado, here are this week's kits:
Sioux Falls City: Pathways Kit
If you like fun vibes, a bit of chaos and lots of colors, the 2025 Pathways Kit from Sioux Falls City is all of that! (yes I know I promised classic styled kits, they are next). I’ve always wanted kits to be fun, colorful and have meaning, this kit does all that while looking good.
This kit takes inspiration from the idea that everyone is on a different path, and no two paths are the same. Either that be more swirly, curly, or not even going forward, this kit represents your path to where you are today. It is always important to understand where you came from, where you are at today, and where your future is headed.
In the words of Taylor Thomas (player for Sioux Falls City), “We are all on our own journey, with different paths to get here. Yet we are all here for soccer, and to represent Sioux Falls”. That sentiment truly captures what Taylor - who also helped design this kit - was talking about here.
I had the privilege to interview Taylor a few weeks back about Sioux Falls City and this kit. It was a fun conversation. Check out my interview here!
Throw in the vibes, the colors, and meaning behind this kit, The Pathways Kit has to be one of the best of the USL season. We cannot find a flaw in this kit. Our score comes out to be: 5.00
Greenville Triumph: The Classic Kit
Before I start getting critical of this kit, I DESPERATLEY need this kit. It looks so good, and it’s 100% my style. The sharp crimson, a polo collar, and a fun crest. I need this kit.
My first critical point of this kit is that is truly doesn’t represent Greenville. Even in their press release it never specifies how it ties to Greenville. It’s just a clean, classic kit that looks amazing that will sell lot hotcakes. This isn’t a Greenville kit though. It’s almost a template, but not a template if that makes sense. I could put another team’s crest on it and it wouldn’t change anything.
Then there aren’t a lot of details on the kit or nothing else to the kit - which is fine! We like to see more details thrown in. There is the diamond pattern throughout, plus the crimson accents in the collar and cuffs, with a new crest but we’d like to see more details to tie it to Greenville.
Without a doubt, you will look fantastic in this kit. This kit has that classic vibe to it, and I am here for it. It’s a really good, classic collared polo kit from Greenville. That is why our score is: 4.00
San Francisco Glens: Reimagined Classic Kit
This is a sharp Green classic kit for the Glens of San Francisco. Per the team -
Proudly sponsored by Guinness, our 2025 kits celebrate the spirit of Irish heritage and the immigrant community that has shaped our club since 1961.
This team has been around since 1961. They are one of an exclusive group of clubs that can say that. When you have had a team for that long, traditions are essentially set in stone. In this case, the Glens and a green kit.
As I always say, let your home kits be simple and straight forward. Let the away or third kits have the fun. Let the home kits be the true vibe of the club and the community they represent. This kit does ALL of that. So no problems there.
However, I feel this kit tried to put in a few too many things and ultimately put out something that is busy while trying to be a classic - look at Greenville above. The SF Glens logo being used on top of the stripes was a choice, and that choice plus the diagonal lines just make this kit way too busy. Plus the crest green is off from the kit itself - probably more of a material problem then a design problem, but still - and the addition of black in the kit via the collar and cuff just doesn’t fit this.
Fox liked it more than I did - see below - but for me, this kit has too many issues with it but it is being true to the Glens. So this kit gets a score: 3.38
Forward Madison: Lady Forward Kit
Forward Madison does two things well:
Fun and creative kits
A simple Blue kit with a sash for their home
This is number 2. We expect Madison to have this sort of kit for their home, and it once again delivers. Again I love this kit - I truly love collars way too much - but it’s still just a polo.
The players, fans, and collectors will look slick. However, the bright blue polo can only carry a kit so far. For a classic looking home kit, this is exactly what I expect, and it is what it is.
This Lady Forward Kit follows Madison’s established tradition of a blue kit with a sash, and the Lady Forward Kit follows that to a T. Without many other details or design elements, this kit gets a score of: 3.00
You can catch the full episode here on Spotify or YouTube:
Let me know your thoughts on how we did in the comments below!