You almost (almost!) have to respect U.S. Soccer’s effort for trying to build suspense for the World Cup kit unveil, considering everyone has already seen the jerseys. But once you remember the lack of effort that went into designing the actual jersey, that respect dissipates.
After weeks of leaks and near-universal fan outrage, U.S. Soccer is finally prepared to confirm what fans already know is coming: The USMNT is going to have among the worst kits at the World Cup in Qatar.
The official account for the USMNT tweeted a teaser video on Tuesday, showing what was probably Christian Pulisic posing on a backlit stage and covered in shadows. It was a teaser video for the uniform unveiling, which will take place on Thursday.
9/15 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/FGQXIoM45Y
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) September 13, 2022
Again, we’ve already seen both the home and away kits. They’ve been spotted at sporting goods stores. They’ve been tweeted out from U.S. Soccer and Nike events. They’re already for sale at soccer stores in Brazil.
While few fans are holding out hope for a misdirection, plenty of others have accepted the reality of the situation. With that in mind, the USMNT’s teaser attempt didn’t exactly go well.
This was how Twitter reacted
We’ve seen it and hate it. No reason to tease anything. Just release it, get the outrage over with so we can all move on.
— USMNT 🇺🇸 Thoughts (@USMNT_Thoughts) September 13, 2022
We’ve seen it. It sucks pic.twitter.com/XXlcRPwX5E
— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) September 13, 2022
It leaked… the hype was destroyed by how plain they look.
— Tactical Manager (@ManagerTactical) September 13, 2022
— St8tes FC 🇺🇸⚽️ (@FcSt8tes) September 13, 2022
— Rob Usry (@RobUsry) September 13, 2022
WE WAITED 8 YEARS FOR A BLAND, WHITE KIT pic.twitter.com/pa8WTJZLkj
— Cutter Whitley (@imcutterbutter) September 13, 2022
— Matthew (@Mdoyle110) September 13, 2022
I'm dreading this https://t.co/YlsDPkx5Tu
— Unhinged LSU Football Jaqdson (@donachaidh) September 13, 2022
Can’t wait to be disappointed https://t.co/SfMGkDQpPb
— Sean (@seangue23) September 13, 2022
These are awful. We all know they are awful. There is no point in making a big deal of them. https://t.co/bbImR68SsX
— Løgan (@L_Hoakie) September 13, 2022
we already know how bad it is, just rip the bandaid already 🩹 https://t.co/WFxyHnCSs2
— ck (@mp3j) September 13, 2022
I love that they put out a hype video teasing the release, when we all saw the leaks and no one likes them, including their own players. Just look at the replies. Imagine if they pulled a fast one and the leaks weren't the real kit, that would be something. https://t.co/1BdlE8AdjU
— Matt Cocco (@MattCocco) September 13, 2022
Fans won’t have to wait long to see the jerseys in action either. The USMNT is expected to debut the kits for September’s friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Japan.
