The era of using men’s hand-me-down jerseys is long gone in the women’s game. We have seen the USWNT jersey undergo numerous changes, and it all stems from the growth and increased development of women’s soccer as a whole. Let’s take a look at the transformations the USWNT jersey has experienced, and it resembles the immeasurable impact of the various legends who have worn the crest.
Hand-Me-Downs Era
The legendary ‘85ers had to use the men’s national team jerseys for international matches. The oversized jerseys were nothing like today’s jerseys. From having to inscribe “USA” on the jerseys to having to pin the loose parts of the jersey back, players like Michelle Akers and Denise Bender had to make what was given to them work.
Even the ‘99ers had a taste of the Hand-Me-Down Era. In their early national experiences, players such as Mia Hamm, Brianna Scurry, and Julie Foudy had to wear oversized jerseys. Yet, things started to take a turn when 1994 came around.
Nike-Custom Era
After branching away from the Adidas brand, the partnership with Nike has brought a lot of change for the USWNT kit. Adidas did release the first jersey specifically designed for women, and Nike took that to higher levels. The kit we know as the “Waldo” jersey and even the all white kit worn in the memorable 1999 WWC Championship match are all thanks to the Custom-Era.
While many positive changes and remarkable jersey designs were created in this era, the most special practice that came from the Custom-Era was adding the stars that represent World Cup wins. As the USWNT began winning World Cup titles, the stars were added above the USA crest on the jersey.
Unified Era
Nike aligned the women’s and men’s jerseys to match one another. Even though the USNT and USWNT kits parallel each other, there are still unique designs that come up.
Along with this, Nike uses a high-tech approach to apply breathable fabric in highly compressed areas, such as under the armpit and in the ribs. A comfortable neckline is also something Nike aims to provide with its jersey creations.
All in all, it is fair to say that the USWNT jersey has seen a variety of changes in its existence thus far. Yet, similar to the growth of women’s soccer, the USWNT jersey reflects the perseverance and persistence needed to reach great outcomes.
Featured image @victrasports
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