Here’s a first look at the Sounders’ new primary kits

Sounders FC unveiled a new primary kit Tuesday.

A checkerboard strip of blue diamonds spills down the middle of a “Legacy” green back dropped shirt with Zulily branding across the chest and the club’s shield on the left shoulder. Some could say the look is a pop-culture nod to Wordle (the popular word game) posts on social media. Others might view it as a racing finish-line flag. The youth could see a Roblox wallpaper choice.

The design is a deep cut for Sounders fans. Seattle drew a record 69,274 fans to Lumen Field — then CenturyLink — for its 2019 MLS Cup win against Toronto FC. The club mark was also the most to view a sporting event in the history of the facility.

An indelible pregame moment was the tifo where the stadium’s sections became blocks of blue and green to form a checkerboard pattern, fans catching on that was the purpose of the blue or green or white square of plastic in their seat. Portions of the east and west lower bowl read “Seattle Sounders” in white and the Brougham End Supporters rose a painting of the players in green tops with blue bottoms, the image of keeper Stefan Frei waving a massive Sounders flag.

The tifo was the brainchild of the Emerald City Supporters. Members later shared stories of arriving early in the morning and overcoming fears of heights to place the squares hoping people understood. The crowd not only caught on, but also joined in the singing of “Bluest Skies,” a riff of Perry Como’s “Seattle” that ECS has sung since the club’s MLS inception in 2009.

The “Legacy Green” pattern represents the connections between fans and players but also the club’s future and history dating back to the founding in 1974 as a North American Soccer League team, according to a news release. The diamond shapes are a flex for the Sounders owning the winningest record in MLS competitions the past decade.

Seattle has advanced to the MLS Cup final in four of the past six years, winning twice. The Rave Green lost in the opening round of the playoffs last season.

A “wave of progress” is detailed in a small blue ripple graphic to look like water on the back neck of the jersey. On the right sleeve remains the logo of the Puyallup Tribe’s Emerald Queen Casino – a multiyear partnership signed last year. Zulily – a retailer based in Seattle – enters its fourth year as a marquee jersey sponsor.

The Sounders unveiled a secondary kit last season that was a hit globally. Dubbed the “Jimi Hendrix Kit,” the hypnotic swirls of black and purple with neon orange stripes atop the shoulders were a nod to the musical icon and his message of peace, love and giving.

SoccerBible.com ranked the jersey 10^th in a list of 20 of the best jerseys from the 2021-22 season. The Hendrix Kit is the highest rated from North America, most picks coming from the famed clubs in Europe.

MLS released its most popular player jerseys of last season, and striker Raul Ruidiaz’s version of the Hendrix Kit was second. Sounders midfielder Nico Lodeiro ranked fifth.

The Sounders are in Honduras for their final prep for their CONCACAF Champions League opener against F.C. Motagua on Thursday. The second leg of the series is Feb. 24 at Lumen Field.

Seattle kicks off MLS play against Nashville SC at Lumen on Feb. 27.