Portland Timbers release Clive Charles inspired crimson third kit
A legendary jersey to honor a true Portland legend
For the first time since the 2015 season, the Portland Timbers have a third kit. And my goodness it is a beauty.
Portland unveiled “The Clive Kit” today, in honor of club and city legend Clive Charles. The jersey is part of the adidas x MLS Archive Collection, and the Timbers are one of just five MLS teams to get a retro inspired jersey this season.
Sporting a striking crimson/maroon color, the jersey features many elements from the history of the Portland Timbers, as well as Clive Charles. Vintage inspired Timbers script adorns the front of the jersey, and the throwback “Heritage” Timbers logo takes its place as as the crest above the heart. Darker ‘Shadow Maroon’ piping runs down the shoulder and sides of the jersey. The trim of the jersey on the sleeves and collar sports white and the traditional Timbers green and gold, to tie the jersey back to the present.
Lastly, the jock tag on the lower left of the jersey is a framed green Clive Charles jersey, which includes Charles’ signature.
Charles had a huge impact on soccer in the city of Portland, and on the sport on a global scale. Charles played for the Timbers during the NASL era from 1978 - 1981, and would go on to coach the men’s and women’s University of Portland soccer teams. In his final year of women’s head coach in 2002, Charles led the Pilots to their first NCAA championship title (spearheaded by leading goal scorer Christine Sinclair).
Prior to his coming to Portland, Charles broke racial barriers by playing for West Ham United as one of the early Black players in the English Premier League. Charles passed away in 2003, and his name adorns the Timbers Ring of Honor and his number 3 remains the only jersey the Timbers have ever retired.
He is now honored with one of the most visually beautiful and meaningful jerseys the Timbers have ever produced. In this blogger’s humble opinion, the Clive Kit is the best jersey the Timbers have produced since those 2015 Green & Gold throwbacks. The color is gorgeous, the details are an incredible touch, and the meaning behind the jersey as a whole elevates it to a whole new level.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see Portland wear the new kits, as they will debut in Portland’s next match on July 20 when the Timbers travel to Carson to face the LA Galaxy.
If your wallet can take it, you can purchase the jerseys and other items from the Clive Collection here. You can read the team’s full press release and more about Clive Charles and the elements of the jersey here.
These look amazing - jersey, jacket, shoes, all look fantastic. Nice job, adidas. I love them.
(checks price tag)
(dies)
I like these ok. Design- and color-wise, they are great. Never a fan of non-team colors on a kit, but at least they squeeze them in on the lettering, trim and logos. Would have liked to see more of a throwback to NASL Timbers kits instead of West Ham (if that's what it is), but whatever. I mean, if you want to keep it local and honor Charles, why not a nod to the Pilots instead?
Funny, I've got one of those old yellow and green Timbers balls that I've had since I followed the NASL Timbers. Also have pennants from every NASL team, which are cool to look at every now and then.