I love the new Sounders FC jerseys and overall look, but do you think MLS would ever allow a Sounders FC-Earthquakes match with NASL throwback uniforms? Congrats to Seattle & SJ for keeping American professional soccer history and tradition alive.
I doubt it for 2 reasons. One Sounders FC is trying real hard to present this team and a new and unique entity and basically had to be hauled kicking and screaming into using the Sounders name. Two throw back nights are all about selling throwback jersey and if memory serves the current Sounders organization does not have the rights to the old uniform and logos rendering the economic incentive moot.
The MLS Earthquakes did have a NASL-jersey match a few years back. I can't remember who it was against though. So, I think a Sounders-Quakes throwback match certainly could happen. The Sounders could wear their teal 1980-circa uniform and the Quakes their red kit. Plans are already underway for the Heritage Cup bewtween the teams, so the throwback match could be part of that.
I disagree with your analysis. For one, if anything, the huge support for the "Sounder" name taught the new owners how strong nostalgia and tradition is for Seattle area soccer fans. They may be building a new identity, but, certainly now understand how popular the old identity was. A throwback game every 4 or 5 years is not going to harm the new identity one iota. Secondly, the Earthquakes did not treat the throwback game as a jersey selling opportunity, it was to honor the tradition behind the Earthquake name. And "throwback" games are popular in many sports, yet you don't see"throwback" jerseys being worn. The MLS Earthquakes did not have the rights to the NASL Earthquakes logo and uniform and yet still managed to use them. And who might have the rights to the old Seattle Sounder logo? I distinctly remember it being used by the USL-1 Sounders, who were owned by some fellow named Adrian Hanauer. Now why does that name ring a bell?
I wish the Quakes would permanently go back to those red kits... they were kind of cool! 1981 - (L-R) Tim Hanley, Mike Hunter, Steve David, Slavko Licinar, Bob Stetler
I am a former NASL Earthquakes fan and employee. In 2001 and 2004, I organized two NASL San Jose Earthquakes reunions for players and staff. They were awesome! In 2004, the MLS Earthquakes wore the the old Red uniforms in a home match vs. the then Dallas Burn. It was an incredible gesture by the Earthquakes to do so! See pictures below: We are working on another reunion for this coming summer in San Jose. We already have over 50 former NASL Earthquake players committed to be there, date pending. The MLS Earthquakes are aware of this and have not committed anything as of yet. We are awaiting the schedule to come out in late January to arrange a possible date. The goal, to have our reunion on night when San Jose hosts Seattle. One of the things that we will request is that San Jose wear the Red uniforms that night. Again, this will be a request and it is completely up to the MLS Earthquakes to address and do if they care to. Fingers are crossed! I will keep everyone updated. Welcome back to the top professional soccer league Seattle! Your city and community is among the VERY best for soccer in the United States and you deserved this without question!
Hey Ron why don't you use your means to get those colors, logos and/or uniforms back? I mean we have the name why not everything else? Even LAndy looks good in those colors! LOL!