EDITOR’S NOTE

The thing nobody tells you about having a new baby is that you basically live in a permanent "week between Christmas and New Years" time warp. 

You know that weird mental space where you have no idea what day it is and survive purely on leftover Thai food and vibes ? That's my life now. Like... how is it March already?! 🤯

Sleep deprivation aside, we've got a lot to be excited about in March, because this month officially marks the start of spring sports: The MLS and NWSL are kicking off (pun absolutely intended), the NCAA men's and women's tournaments are on deck and MLB is warming up in the bullpen.

Quick Hits Before We Roll

• For most of the US, March means pop-ups are about to be everywhere. Currently, I'm working on a video about how cultural factors outside our little bubble here will be affecting us this year. Here's the TL;DR: We now live in a world where tariff-related terror could mean an increased demand for secondhand clothing. I believe we'll see a demand for vintage sportswear absolutely explode the rest of 2025. Look out for that video next week.

• The Gameday Grails Bracket Challenge will return for Year 4 (let's gooooo!) Sign up for either our men's or women's bracket, and if your bracket stays the cleanest for the longest, you'll win a grail. More info on that next week.

Now let's dive into the good stuff, shall we? 👇

THIS WAY IN

• This Week's Grails: Featuring a Bobby Bowden sideline classic

• Fantasy Creative Director: The NWSL Heritage Kit Project 🔥

• From The Vault: 1965 NFL Catalog

Reading Time: 12 minutes

THIS WEEK’S GRAILS

• Jack Davis Mets shirt (Size M)

• FSU Windbreaker (Size 2XL, for context: This is the one Bobby wore on the sideline during the ‘96 Orange Bowl)

• 1980’s Champion Reverse Weave South Carolina Gamecocks Sweatshirt (Size S)

• 2003 Reebok Lebron James Rookie Jersey

OK HEAR US OUT

The NWSL kicks off this weekend and that, plus some sleep deprivation, sparked a crazy idea that we think would change the league FOR-EV-ER.

Did you know NWSL teams currently don’t have a third alternate kit? (I know, right?)

Did you also know that every current NWSL city has a direct tie to the history of womens soccer in the US?

The Big Idea™️: What if we used third kits to tell the story of the pioneers who built women's soccer in America?

Hell, let’s call them the HER-itage Edition kits. Let’s get into it.

Angel City FC

Current Kit (2025): "Los Angeles" kit featuring a toile pattern of LA landmarks and symbols reflecting a "diverse, vibrant, ever-changing and resilient city."

Heritage Edition Kit: The return of the Los Angeles Sol (WPS, 2009) jerseys in their yellow and blue colors

Narrative Connection: Look, Angel City celebrates modern LA with artistic depictions of landmarks, but imagine if they could honor the Los Angeles Sol—a team that folded after just one season despite winning the regular season championship with Brazilian superstar Marta. Wild to think that even having the world's best player couldn't sustain women's soccer in LA without the infrastructure and fan support Angel City now enjoys. Talk about a full-circle moment.

Bay FC

Current Kit (2025): New primary kit with nine lines representing the nine counties of the Bay Area that "flow together, symbolizing the power that comes from embracing the diverse identities and backgrounds of the area."

Heritage Night Kit: The legendary San Jose CyberRays (WUSA, 2001-2003) purple and black jerseys (before "cyber" was cool, btw)

Narrative Connection: Here's the thing about Bay FC: While their modern design emphasizes regional unity across nine counties, imagine bringing back the San Jose CyberRays—aka the Bay Area's first women's professional champions who won the inaugural Founders Cup in 2001. Fun fact: The CyberRays represented Silicon Valley's tech-forward ethos (they were literally living in 3023) but disappeared when the WUSA folded, leaving the Bay Area without professional women's soccer for 20 years. Let that sink in. Two. Decades. Now that's what we call a comeback story.

Chicago Stars

Current Kit (2025): Designed to represent "a menacing alter ego to impose on Chicago's opponents anywhere the team goes."

Heritage Night Kit: The OG Chicago Red Stars (WPS, 2009-2011) blue kit with red stars across the chest (a certified classic)

Narrative Connection: Talk about character development: The evolution from the Red Stars' original hopeful, idealistic kit with the city's iconic stars to today's Stars' "menacing alter ego" design is literally the glow-up of the century. Here's the wildest part: As one of the few clubs to survive from WPS through to today's NWSL (and through a whole rebrand), Chicago's got that dawg in them. Remember when Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd wore those original jerseys before they became household names? Yeah, that's the level of history we're talking about here.

Houston Dash

Current Kit (2025): "Cosmic Storm" in purple, representing "organizing the chaotic energy to create a cosmic storm and a new beacon of hope for the club."

Heritage Night Kit: Plot twist: A tribute jersey to the Mexican-American soccer culture of Texas

Narrative Connection: Okay, this one's got layers. While Houston embraces cosmic imagery and purple to signal a fresh chapter, their heritage jersey would honor Texas' strong Mexican-American soccer influence, connecting Houston to the international women's game. Give us a match against a Liga MX Feminil club and we’ll be in business.

Kansas City Current

Current Kit (2025): "Teal Town" secondary featuring a map of KC and the river, with the crest placed over the site of CPKC stadium.

Heritage Edition Kit: The OG FC Kansas City (2013-2017) blue and white jerseys (2014 NWSL champs! 💙)

Narrative Connection: Here's some soccer poetry for you: The Current's modern kit celebrates their groundbreaking stadium investment, but let's pour one out for FC Kansas City—the original NWSL team that won back-to-back championships before folding. Get this: FCKC brought championships to KC without fancy facilities, just pure soccer excellence from legends like Lauren Holiday and Becky Sauerbrunn. From playing wherever they could find space to building their own stadium? That's what we call progress, folks.

Gotham FC

Current Kit (2025): Colors that homage the team's history as Sky Blue FC which "reflect Gotham FC's grit, resilience and ambition" while the design "embraces the pride and individuality that defines the region."

Heritage Edition Kit: Their current kit is already an homage to Sky Blue FC (WPS, 2009-2011) jersey, so let’s go deeper and honor the late New York Power (WUSA, 2001-2003)

Narrative Connection: Fun fact: New Jersey is the only region that's had pro women's soccer in all three major leagues (WUSA, WPS, and NWSL). If that's not built different, I don't know what is.

North Carolina Courage

Current Kit (2025): "Believe" kit described as "a battle cry" where "lionesses are the true hunters, the fierce protectors, and the heart of the pride... making them the ultimate symbol of female power and the divine sisterhood."

Heritage Edition Kit: The legendary Carolina Courage (WUSA, 2001-2003) blue and white jerseys (if you know, you know)

Narrative Connection: Okay, this one's straight out of a movie script. While today's Courage are all about that lioness energy, let's rewind to the original Carolina Courage who balled out in Cary from 2001-2003. Plot twist: They literally disappeared and came back with the same name. Like, what are the odds? The OG squad even snagged the 2002 Founders Cup before the league folded. Talk about history repeating itself—but this time with a much happier ending! 🏆

Orlando Pride

Current Kit (2025): "Decennial" primary kit honoring their 10-year anniversary with throwback elements to the 2016 inaugural kit, iridescent crest, and new gold star for their 2024 championship.

Heritage Edition Kit: The GOAT-edition: Design honoring the '99ers Florida connections

Narrative Connection: Real ones know Orlando's soccer story didn't start with the Pride. Plot twist: Florida's been a women's soccer factory since before Y2K was a thing. We're talking Florida-connected '99ers and college programs that were developing USWNT and international stars while Orlando was still just known for Mickey Mouse. From no pro team to championship city? That's character development we love to see.

Portland Thorns FC

Current Kit (2025): Design where black represents "strength and unity within the city," while red represents "the embers burning at the heart of the team and supporters."

Heritage Edition Kit: The blueprint: University of Portland-inspired kit (aka where the magic started)

Narrative Connection: Listen up, because this is where Portland's soccer story really begins. Before the Thorns had the Rose City going crazy, the University of Portland was THE spot. We're talking absolute SCENES under coaches like Clive Charles. That UP program? Basically a USWNT factory - Rapinoe, Sinclair, MacMillan... the list is absolutely ridiculous. Those record-breaking Thorns crowds didn't just appear out of thin air—UP laid that foundation before TikTok was even a thing.

Racing Louisville FC

Current Kit (2025): "Roots" kit inspired by the city's tree canopy—"tulip poplar, sycamore and American beech trees"—representing "the strength of Racing Louisville's foundation is in its many pieces that come together each game day."

Heritage Edition Kit: The hometown heroes edition: Design honoring Louisville’s collegiate soccer program (because sometimes the best stories start on campus 📚)

Narrative Connection: Plot twist: When Louisville talks about "roots," there's a whole chapter before Racing existed. Here's the tea: While other cities had pro teams coming and going, Louisville and names like Meredith Miller kept women's soccer alive through their college programs. No pro team? No problem. This kit would celebrate all the talent that had to leave the state to go pro... until Racing showed up and said "bet" 💜

San Diego Wave FC

Current Kit (2025): "Altamar" secondary kit representing the sea to complement their "Del Sol" primary, described as "Underneath every Wave, an unstoppable energy runs deep. This club is a force of nature, rising together from the ocean's depths to lift San Diego to untold heights."

Heritage Edition Kit: The OG San Diego vibes: San Diego Spirit (WUSA, 2001-2003) jersey (Julie Foudy stans, this one's for you)

Narrative Connection: Okay, time for some San Diego soccer archaeology: Before the Wave made splashes, the Spirit had legends like Julie Foudy and Shannon MacMillan doing their thing in SD. Then poof - 20 years of no pro women's soccer. Talk about a gap year(s) 😅 When the Wave talks about "rising from the depths," they're not kidding—this comeback story was two decades in the making!

Seattle Reign FC

Current Kit (2025): "Rise" kit inspired by "iconic designs across the Seattle skyline," with gold "conveying optimism for this next chapter in the club's journey."

Heritage Edition Kit: The absolutely stacked Seattle Sounders Women (circa 2012, when they had half the USWNT roster just casual)

Narrative Connection: Gather 'round for this piece of Seattle soccer lore: Before the Reign ruled the Pacific Northwest, the Sounders Women casually rolled out a lineup with Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux, and Hope Solo. Like, imagine that team in your Sunday league? 😅 They were drawing 4,500+ fans (in 2012!) but still didn't make the NWSL cut. The ultimate "fumbled the bag" story that thankfully led us to the Reign we know and love today.

Utah Royals FC

Current Kit (2025): "The Great Salt Lake" secondary kit, with a portion of proceeds benefiting lake conservation efforts through partnership with the Great Salt Lake Water Trust.

Heritage Edition Kit: Back to the future: Original Utah Royals (2018-2020) designs (because sometimes you gotta run it back 👑)

Narrative Connection: This one's wild y'all. While Utah's current kit is all about saving the Great Salt Lake, their heritage story is about saving something else entirely—the Royals themselves. Think about it: They existed, disappeared to Kansas City during peak pandemic chaos, then literally rose from the ashes years later. It's like conservation isn't just about natural resources—sometimes it's about preserving the beautiful game itself.

Washington Spirit

Current Kit (2025): "Shockwave" secondary in bold yellow that "isn't just seen; it's felt. It pulses with the rhythm of the club's play on the pitch, amplifies the power of the supporters' cheers, and turns every match into a seismic event."

Heritage Edition Kit: The GOAT collection: Washington Freedom (WUSA, 2001-2003) jerseys (as worn by the one and only Mia Hamm 🐐)

Narrative Connection: Last but definitely not least... While the Spirit's rocking that "Shockwave" energy today, let's talk about the original seismic event in DC soccer: The Washington Freedom. Quick history lesson: They had MIA FREAKING HAMM. And Abby Wambach. In the same team. Like, what?! Even with the literal GOATs, the league couldn't survive. Fast forward to today's Spirit creating their own "seismic events" in a sustainable league? That's the kind of glow-up we love to see.

The Bottom Line

Look, this isn't just about cool jerseys (though they would be 🔥). It's about showing the next generation that today's success didn't happen overnight. Every NWSL city has a story of persistence, heartbreak, and triumph. These HER-itage kits wouldn't just be fire fits—they'd be walking history lessons.

NWSL, if you're reading this... let's make it happen? 👀

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FROM THE VAULT

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