Third kits are, as I'm sure you know, mostly for CCL, USOC, and high exposure league games (LAvsHOU last year). If there is one thing universally agreed upon, it's that the last thing Houston is gonna do is wear black at home, especially in summer. Of course, nothing has been leaked or confirmed that there is a black kit at all, just that black has been slowly getting integrated into the team identity.
Most NCAA conferences are these days. This goes for uniforms and playing surfaces. I'm in favor of MLS following suit.
I would prefer it if they kept it limited to the coaches' apparel. I like the way they stand out from the players while still complimenting the overall look of the team.
I think that the color contrast between orange and black is much more appealing than orange and white/space city blue. The Halloween look works for me, it'll look a lot less sherbet-ish. I hope we see at least a little black on Houston's new kits. It is after all the dominant color on the crest and it works!
I'm not going to say it will happen but the Dynamo could easily wear black at home even in the summer. As long as they do it in the evening. Black absorbs light, not heat. Once the sun does down black is not any hotter than orange. Might actually be cooler since black also loses heat more rapidly.
One correction on my original post. The deal with Greenstar was through 2015 but Greenstar had an option on 2014 and 2105. So this is still an early cancellation but only by about 11 months instead of 3 years. Also, yesterday it was announced that Waste Management is buying the U.S. portion of Greenstar Recycling. That is probably the primary reason for the cancellation of the contract. http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2013/02/waste-management-gobbles-up-greenstar.html
It sounds like the Dynamo are already talking with a few potential sponsors for their shirt. They will probably get a replacement pretty soon.
Black would provide a bit more contrast versus a team with a more medium or lighter color blue (e.g. Montreal or KC)
Speaking of Montreal, what do they consider to be their primary? If I'm remembering correctly, there were quite a few times where they wore a white shirt with blue shorts at home last year....
Royal Blue is the primary. The problem is when teams have two jerseys that clash with the blue, and no third kit. I'm looking at you, SKC and Philly!
Or look back the other way and Montreal doesn't have a 3rd that keeps them from conflicting with the older MLS teams...
The problem is that Montreal only has one short color. If they also had a white or black short, the league competition committee wouldn't have as big an issue finding non-clash uni combinations for montreal. That's what forced KC into a weird/backward color combo at home against Montreal last year.
I'm ok with weird back-colours on the road, but the Impact played in white at home a few times. Don't know if this was intended or "forced" because of colour issues.
Returning to the Black for Black sake idea for a moment (and straying from MLS, apologies), I give you the new Portugal away: The truth is I quite enjoy seeing Portugal perennially under achieve. The darker truth is I dig, dig, dig that shirt.