By Paul Kennedy

Major League Soccer will launch its first “Jersey Week” with a national launch event Feb. 25 at Pier 59 Studios in conjunction with the New York Red Bulls.

Artist Curtis Kulig will be unveiling original pieces of art featuring the 19 MLS clubs at this event to highlight this year's theme “Jersey as Art."

There will also be 11 local events the week of Feb. 25-28 for MLS clubs will unveil new adidas primary, secondary or third jerseys. Perhaps the most ambitious effort will be Colorado Rapids' jersey caravan to Breckenridge Ski Resort, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Elk Meadow/Bergen Peak, the Brown Palace and Confluence Park followed by a public party at Lodo’s Bar & Grill in downtown Denver, where the players will don the new jerseys for the first time.

“Soccer supporters are extremely passionate about everything involving their club,” said Maribeth Towers, senior vice president of consumer products for MLS. “But the jersey might be first and foremost. It is the crest that is closest to their heart. Jersey Week will celebrate the soccer jersey."
 
Starting in 2014, all 19 MLS clubs will unveil at least one new jersey every year.

MLS will also introduce the “True Colors” of MLS created by artists from the Futbol Artists Network (FAN). The canvas art will utilize club marks, club colors and jersey teaser images and be used in social media platforms in the two weeks leading up to Jersey Week.
 
JERSEY WEEK:
Feb. 25
Houston (Primary & Secondary) House of Blues (private)
New York (Primary) Pier 59 Studios (private)
Feb. 25-26
Colorado (Primary & Secondary) Jersey Caravan/Lodo’s (public)
Feb. 26
Chivas USA (Secondary) The Home Depot Center (private)
Philadelphia (Third) Xfinity Live (public)
*Sporting KC (Primary) The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (private)
Toronto FC (Primary) The Berkeley Church (private)
Feb. 27
*LA Galaxy (Secondary) The GRAMMY Museum (public)
Montreal (Third) New City Gas (private)
Seattle (Primary & Secondary) Cinerama (private)
Vancouver (Primary) Rocky Mountaineer Train Station (private)
Feb. 28
Portland (Primary & Secondary) “Last Thursday on Alberta Street” (public)
 
*Will unveil third jerseys at other events.

CONCACAF-FOX SOCCER DEAL EXPANDED. U.S. fans can look forward to watching the U.S. under-20 national team in action in the Concacaf Under-20 Championship as part of the expanded agreement between Concacaf and Fox Soccer.

Besides the Concacaf Under-20 Championship, Fox Soccer will also air the 2013 Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship, 2014 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 and Under-20 Championships and 2015 Concacaf Women’s World Cup Qualifying.

The U.S. U-20s open play Feb. 18 against Haiti in Puebla, Mexico (kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET).
-----------------------------
Email: Send releases to Soccer America
Friend Soccer America Facebook
Follow Soccer America Twitter
Soccer Business Insider RSS feed