The new uniform for the national U.S. soccer team competing in this year’s World Cup was introduced last week by Nike. HOMBRE, always at the forefront, was selected to be one of 101 organizations to preview the uniform and personalize the new shirt. As I learned during the visit to Nike‘s New York City studio, the new uniform is not only stylish but also combines the best in performance innovation with American pride and a classic, bold design. The new 2014 USA home kit is the ultimate expression of American style and patriotism.

HOMBRE Magazine’s Francisco Romeo holds his personalized new US Soccer team jersey

This year marks the 101st anniversary of the U.S. Soccer Federation. To celebrate this momentous occasion Nike selected HOMBRE, as one of 101 US influencers to preview the kit and customize a shirt. Our lettering is white, while the team’s letters will be written in blue. The uniform is now on sale and can be purchased at Nike stores or www.nike.com

“The new kit clearly showcases the USA’s national pride and distinct sense of style, while also capturing the nation’s eternal optimism,” said Martin Lotti, Creative Director for Nike Soccer.

The classic jersey is white with gray horizontal pinstripes across the body and sleeves, a reference to the USA’s historic tradition of using stripes. The jersey has a white polo collar featuring red trim, a nod of respect to this iconic piece of American fashion and sportswear. Inside the back of the neck a blue pennant tab features the original thirteen stars of the American Flag.

The back of the jersey includes a unique and specially designed font for the names and numbers, which is modern, angular and directly influenced by U.S. sports teams. Each number on the back also houses a small U.S. Soccer crest at the bottom.

“It’s always an honor to wear the colors of your country, and this summer we will be hard to miss in an all-white look,” said U.S. Men’s National Team captain Clint Dempsey. “We will be traveling all over Brazil and playing in a lot of different conditions, so the innovative Nike designs will serve us well.”

The new shorts are white with a red stripe on each side. Simple and iconic, the fit is slimmer and more tailored to the body, with a cut specifically designed to aid movement and comfort. The center back of the shorts feature Nike’s signature laser vents to aid in cooling and allow for moisture management. The new socks coordinate with the classic aesthetic.

The kit aids performance by regulating player body temperature over the course of the match. By using a combination of Nike Dri-FIT Technology, “burnout” mesh and laser-cut ventilation holes, designers are able to localize cooling where players need it most.

Nike Dri-FIT technology pulls moisture away from the skin to the outside of the garment where it evaporates more quickly. Laser-cut ventilation holes and engineered mesh in key areas where heat is generated allow for increased breathability and airflow across the skin. The kit is made with a new dual-knit fabrication that incorporates cotton and recycled polyester for the best in moisture wicking properties, while adding a softer feel and more flattering shape.

In line with Nike’s commitment to superior performance with lower environmental impact, the shirt, shorts—and for the first time in a national team kit, the socks—all feature fabric made from recycled plastic bottles (100 percent recycled polyester in the shorts, 96 percent recycled polyester in the shirt and 78 percent in the socks). Each kit is made using an average of 18 recycled plastic bottles. Since 2010, Nike has diverted almost two billion bottles from landfills, enough to cover over 2,800 full-sized soccer pitches.

“Incorporating environmental sustainability is a key part of the design and development process for us,” said Lotti. “Our aim is to create a kit that performs for players and is good to the planet.”

HOMBRE Magazine’s Francisco Romeo with the new US Soccer Team jersey

PERFECT FIT

Designers used three-dimensional body scans of elite footballers to collect data on the form of today’s players and identify an updated fit, improving comfort and allowing the body to move more naturally within the kit.

The new Nike Pro baselayer is the lightest ever from Nike and features increased venting and breathability. Players have a variety of Nike Pro baselayer styles to choose from. These are designed for the varying temperatures and conditions that athletes will encounter in Brazil, which are expected to vary from high heat during midday matches, to much colder temperatures in the southern locations during evening games.

The result is the Nike Pro Combat Ultralight Slider Shorts.  Featuring increased and adjusted protection to match the athlete’s sliding pattern, the shorts are also 20 percent lighter than previous versions and made with 87 percent recycled polyester. Weight was eliminated through the addition of mesh for increased breathability and cooling where the athlete generates heat.

The USA kit is available in Nike stores and worldwide on nike.com