Another MLS season approaches, and with that comes a smörgåsbord of new uniforms. So who’s got the makings of an iconic, world-recognized shirt? Let’s count down.

Although I’ll be doing my fair share of criticizing over the next 18 entries, keep in mind I believe Adidas is doing fantastic work overall. Some purists complain because MLS isn’t following the European model of avoiding exclusive kit manufacturer deals, but Adidas has done a relatively good job of creating clean, distinctive looks. The league today is a far cry from the fun-filled 1996 MLS debut jerseys. But without further ado…

We begin with #18, the worst of the pack: the New England Revolution. Everything about this shirt is a mess. It’s clear from the first time you lay eyes on the home shirt that this club is trying to emulate a certain bigger sports team with “New England” in the name. Navy, gray, red, and white is not necessarily a bad color scheme, and it fits with the patriotic nature of New England. But in particular, the gray shoulders make the intended connection a little too obvious. The collar is nice though.

If a team is attempting to go for its hometown’s patriotic history, the Revs overdo it a bit. Their crest looks like the rejected leftover of a US Soccer logo. And when will MLS clubs learn: if you don’t have a sponsor, just leave the chest blank. Don’t put your club name there to fill up space. If a team’s badge is meant to be synonymous with the team, having REVOLUTION written out in big letters directly below it is simply redundant.

The blue home shirt has been around for a few seasons and is in need of replacing, but the white away shirt is a season newer. It’s got a cleaner, classier look, even if it just looks like the LA Galaxy home shirt and Real Salt Lake away shirt had a baby. But I’m going to ask this question many times over the course of my Kit Countdown-why does the away strip have to be white? Chelsea, arguably the most famous club in the world to wear blue (with kits also made by Adidas!), seems to be doing just fine with nary a white shirt in sight.