Ranking The NSL’s Inaugural Primary Kits
By Now that we’ve had a few days to fully appreciate all the finer details of the Northern Super League’s inaugural primary jerseys, the team at Northern Tribune has combined our collective footy knowledge and fandoms together to rank the six jerseys revealed last Thursday.
Our system is simple: six members of Northern Tribune writers room, John Molinaro of TFC Republic, and Sports Marketing Specialist Casey Telford all ranked individually the jerseys from first to worst. Points were then attributed to each vote, 1st got 6 points, 2nd got five, 3rd got four, and so on. At the end the points were tallied up and we got our overall standings!
But first, let’s see how the writers ranked the kits!
With those out of the way, here is the final ranking aggregate from your Northern Tribune Team!
6th. Calgary Wild FC – Royally Bland (13pts)
NSL Rundown: “Inspired by Calgary’s dusky skies, the Wild FC home kit is a masterclass in deceptive simplicity. Deep purple represents strength and ambition, while fiery red pays homage to the city’s civic colours… Just like their play on the pitch, this kit makes a statement: watch carefully, or you’ll never see them coming.”
Writer Report: “It is a simple design, opting for an all purple kit with red details. That’s the problem here thought – it is too simple. It is a nice colour choice, but perhaps more could have been added to enhance the design. For instance, they could have used the red a bit more to make things pop, rather than relegating it to the finer details. All in all, it just feels too plain.” –David Parkes
5th. Ottawa Rapid FC – Criss, Cross, Got No Sauce (20pts)
NSL Rundown: “Dark, powerful, and unstoppable—Ottawa Rapid FC’s home kit mirrors the force of nature itself. A deep black base, laced with subtle green and blue hues, reflects the rugged landscapes of the region, while bold accents streak across like flashes of lightning.”
Writer Report: “Ottawa’s kit is nothing ground breaking but at least it’s got a design on it (what were you thinking, Calgary??) The league and club say that the criss-cross pattern represents a series of energetic buzz words and storm systems, when in reality the pattern reminds me of the top of a stereotypical pie or of a tic-tac-toe board. With so much history in the city and region, one would have hope for more from the capital’s team.” –Nelson Mahmoudi
4th. AFC Toronto – Takes ‘T’wo to Tango (23pts)
NSL Rundown: “AFC Toronto’s home kit is a striking embodiment of strength and resilience. Draped in Mighty Maroon, the jersey mirrors the team’s unyielding ambition and the city’s forward-thinking spirit. A seamless blend of stability and movement, it symbolizes the unity between the club and its supporters.”
Writer Report: “The gorgeous maroon colour tones do a lot of the heavy lifting here, which is great because the design itself is very unimaginative – it’s just a large version of the club’s own insignia copy-pasted atop a repeating pattern of the same logo. While the bright red colour-pop on the sleeves and collar add a nice spark to the overall look, I want to see AFC Toronto be a bit more creative before the centre of the universe jokes start piling in.” –John Jacques
🥉. Halifax Tides FC – Just Smiles and Waves (31pts)
NSL Rundown: “Halifax Tides FC brings a design that flows with the rhythm of the ocean, symbolizing change, resilience, and the club’s commitment to progress. Wave-like patterns ripple across the jersey, representing the movement for equity in sport and the unwavering momentum of the team.”
Writer Report: “The Halifax Tides speak of leading with authenticity and warmth, and their home jersey certainly cooks! It evokes vivid Atlantic sunsets and raging seas with its oily palette of colours surging from the ocean’s depths and merging at the azure hemline. A fitting love letter to The Commons!” –Darnel Harris
🥈. Montréal Roses FC – Bold is in Bloom (37pts)
NSL Rundown: “Montréal’s kit is a celebration of courage, creativity, and diversity. Designed in collaboration with local artist Niti Marcelle Mueth, this striking blue and red jersey features hand-drawn elements and a stunning rose motif, [redefining] what it means to break barriers in women’s sports.”
Writer Report: “The Roses’ kit at the first glance just screams bold and personality. The decision to go with a bold fusion of a vibrant blue and red that forms the flower is striking, particularly for the inaugural season. Add the classy finish with that big retro collar and you get a stellar shirt!” –Rania Elhilali
🥇. Vancouver Rise FC – Walkin’ on Sunshine (44pts)
NSL Rundown: “A beacon of energy and ambition, Vancouver Rise FC’s home kit captures the warmth and brilliance of the sun. A dynamic sunburst pattern radiates across the jersey, symbolizing hope, growth, and the limitless potential of the team.”
Writer Report: “The Sunshine kit perfectly encapsulates what the Rise is striving to be: a blazing light in Canadian soccer. The geometric design of the sunlight gives it a chic yet elegant feel, as the rays cascade down the cool teal canvas of the jersey in style. The golden yellow collar highlights the players with them radiating confidence and talent through the kit. Truly a fantastic design for a fantastic team!” –Felipe Vallejo
What do you think of the Northern Super League’s first ever slate of primary jerseys? Write to us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram with your rankings!
The inaugural season of the Northern Super League kicks off on April 16, 2025 at BC Place as the Vancouver Rise host the Calgary Wild. Each club will play in a 25-game season with the top-four clubs taking part in the NSL Playoffs consisting of a home-and-away semifinal format and a single-game championship match on November 15.
