Five of the Most Memorable U.S. Soccer Jerseys
Jersey designs can often be hit or miss, but the moments attached to them are what make them unforgettable.
Soccer jerseys are no longer just uniforms — they’ve become fashion statements and cultural artifacts.
This summer, the FIFA World Cup returns to the United States for the first time since the 1999 Women’s World Cup — and for the first time in 32 years, the men’s tournament will be played on U.S. soil, co‑hosted with Canada and Mexico.
Jersey designs are often hit or miss, but the moments attached to them are what make them unforgettable.
U.S. Men's National Team Away - 1994 World Cup
Covered in a denim print and patterned with oversized white stars stretching across the chest, Adidas created a jersey that was loud, bold and unapologetically American — perfect for the United States’ first time hosting a World Cup.
“To this day, it has come to define my generation, my team and ultimately myself,” said Alexi Lalas, who played center back for the USMNT in 1994. “It enhanced what the whole ’90s vibe was back then.”
U.S. Women Home - 1999 Women’s World Cup
Yes, it’s a plain white jersey — but it’s remembered less for its design and more for the moment Brandi Chastain ripped it off after scoring the winning penalty against China in the 1999 Women’s World Cup Final.
“We were in our kits for a long time after that day,” said former UF star Danielle Fotopoulos, a member of the USWNT’s 1999 World Cup–winning roster. “We were making commercials, we were on floats in Disney.”
U.S. Men Home - 2013 Gold Cup, ‘14 WC Qualifying
Although this kit wasn’t featured in a World Cup, its distinct pattern — and its resemblance to the “Where’s Waldo” character — eventually came to define the USMNT era of Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey. The USMNT wore this jersey at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
And in a throwback theme, this summer's new World Cup kits will have this same throwback wavy red and white horizontal design.
U.S. Women Away - 2011 Women’s World Cup
Another kit remembered more for a moment than its design.
Down a player and trailing 2-1 to Brazil in the 122nd minute of the quarterfinals, the U.S. was moments from elimination. Then Abby Wambach headed in a nearly 45‑yard cross from Megan Rapinoe to force a penalty shootout, which the U.S. won to advance to a semifinal showdown with France.
U.S. Women Home - 2019 Women’s World Cup
Like the 1999 jersey, the 2019 kit was simple — but it didn’t stop the USWNT from making more history.
Powered by the likes of Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Rose Lavelle, the U.S. won its second straight World Cup while simultaneously battling the U.S. Soccer Federation in a landmark equal‑pay lawsuit.
This story appears in the Spring 2026 print issue of Grandstand Magazine. Click here to see the full issue in its original print format.
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