If you walk through the Five Points MARTA station on a Saturday afternoon when the Five Stripes are home, you aren't just seeing a sea of red and black. You’re seeing a timeline. You'll spot the OG 2017 inaugural primary shirts—the ones with the thick vertical bands—rubbing shoulders with the neon "Unity" kit or the minty "Forest" jerseys. It’s wild. Most MLS teams struggle to find an identity, but an atlanta united fc kit usually ends up feeling like a piece of local streetwear rather than just a polyester uniform for athletes.
The club has this weird, almost obsessive relationship with its aesthetic. They don't just drop a shirt; they drop a manifesto. Whether you love the "404" kit or think the "Forest" green was a bit of a stretch, you can’t deny that the design team at Adidas and the front office at Mercedes-Benz Stadium are swinging for the fences every single time.
The Evolution of the Five Stripes
When the club launched, the "Five Stripes" wasn't just a nickname; it was a literal blueprint for the jersey. That first 2017 primary kit set a massive standard. It was bold. It was classic. It looked like something a storied European club would wear, which was exactly the point. Eales and Bocanegra wanted to project "big club" energy from day one. Honestly, it worked. The gold accents against the black and victory red felt expensive.
But then things got experimental.
By the time we hit the "Starry Night" (The Unity Kit) and the "Forest" kit, the club started leaning into the actual culture of Atlanta. This wasn't just about soccer anymore. It was about the music scene, the tree canopy, and the city’s civil rights legacy. The 2023-2024 "The 404" kit is probably the best example of this. Using that blue and yellow palette inspired by the old Atlanta Braves colors and the 1996 Olympics? Genius move. It tapped into a nostalgia that even non-soccer fans in the city felt.
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The Technical Specs You Actually Care About
Let’s talk about the "Authentic" vs. "Replica" debate because people get burned on this every year. If you’re buying an atlanta united fc kit, the Authentic version is what the players wear. It features "HEAT.RDY" technology. Basically, it’s designed to keep Josef Martinez or Thiago Almada from overheating in that 95-degree Georgia humidity. The crest is heat-pressed to save weight.
The Replica? It uses "AEROREADY." It’s a bit heavier, the crest is embroidered (which honestly lasts longer in the wash), and the fit is "standard" rather than "athletic." If you’ve been hitting the Varsity for chili dogs a bit too often, the Replica is your best friend. The Authentic is unforgiving. It’s built for world-class cardio.
- The Primary (Home): Always features the red and black stripes, though the thickness and number of stripes change every two years.
- The Secondary (Away/Community): This is where they get weird. We've seen white, gold, forest green, and even "graffiti" styles.
Why the "Forest" Kit Divided the Fanbase
The "Forest" kit was a risk. Atlanta is famously the "City in a Forest," but putting a soccer team in deep green and mint accents felt... off to some people. Critics said it looked like a Portland Timbers reject. Supporters, however, pointed out that it was the first time the club really embraced the environmental aspect of the city.
It also featured a cool "AB" logo on the back of the neck, a nod to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. This is the kind of nuance you don't get with a generic template kit. The club pays for these details. They want the shirt to be a "Storytelling" piece. Does it always land? No. But in a league where some teams just wear plain white shirts for their secondary options, Atlanta’s willingness to be "too much" is actually refreshing.
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The "404" and the Graffiti Culture
The 17s (the fans) are a loud bunch. The "404" kit was a love letter to them. It featured a subtle "graffiti" pattern that paid homage to the murals you see in Cabbagetown and along the BeltLine. It’s these small touches—the "A" on the back of the neck, the "Unite & Conquer" jock tag—that make a $160 price tag for an authentic jersey slightly easier to swallow.
I spoke with some kit collectors at a tailgate last season, and the consensus was clear: the best kits are the ones that don't try to be "soccer jerseys." They try to be Atlanta.
How to Spot a Fake (Because the Scams are Everywhere)
Listen, we've all seen the $25 jerseys on questionable websites. They look great in photos. Then they arrive, and the "red" is actually a weird shade of magenta, and the sponsor logo (American Family Insurance) is crooked.
If you're looking for a legit atlanta united fc kit, check the stitching inside the neck. Real Adidas kits have high-density heat-transfer labels or very clean embroidery. The "three stripes" on the shoulders should be perfectly aligned with the sleeve seam. Also, look at the MLS patch on the sleeve. On the authentic versions, these are 3D-molded and have a bit of texture. If it's a flat, screen-printed sticker, you've been hustled.
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The Sponsor Factor
American Family Insurance has been the kit sponsor since the jump. It’s become synonymous with the shirt. While some fans wish for a more "global" brand, AmFam has put a lot of money into the local community, which makes the branding feel a bit more "Atlanta." The Piedmont Healthcare sponsor on the sleeve is another local touch. It's rare for a team to feel this "local" while being owned by a billionaire like Arthur Blank.
What’s Coming Next for the Five Stripes?
The kit cycle in MLS is predictable. Each team gets a new primary every two years and a new secondary every two years, staggered. We are currently in a window where a new "Community" kit is always on the horizon. Rumors always swirl. Will we see a return to the "King Peach" vibes? Or maybe something that leans even harder into the hip-hop legacy of the city?
Whatever it is, it will be polarizing. That is the Atlanta United way. They would rather you hate a kit than be bored by it.
Caring for Your Kit (Don't Ruin the Gold)
If you spent the money on a real atlanta united fc kit, please, for the love of all things holy, do not put it in the dryer. The heat will melt the "AmFam" logo right off the front.
- Wash it inside out.
- Cold water only.
- Hang dry it like it’s a delicate piece of art.
- Avoid fabric softeners; they clog the "HEAT.RDY" pores that are supposed to keep you cool.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to grab a piece of club history or just want to look right for the next match at the Benz, keep these points in mind:
- Check the Year: MLS kits rotate. If you see a "deal" on a primary kit in an even-numbered year, it’s likely the outgoing model. Wait for the February launch if you want the latest "on-pitch" look.
- Size Up for Authentics: The authentic player-issue shirts are cut "slim." If you usually wear a Large in t-shirts, you will likely need an XL in an authentic atlanta united fc kit to breathe comfortably.
- The "Kit Launch" Events: Keep an eye on the club's socials (Twitter/X and Instagram) around mid-February. The "Kit Launch" parties in Atlanta are legendary—often featuring local rappers and surprise appearances—and they usually sell a limited number of "first run" jerseys with special packaging.
- Customization Matters: If you get a name and number on the back, make sure it’s the official MLS font. The "cup" font used in US Open Cup matches is different from the standard league font. Most official team stores will give you the choice.
- Legacy Value: Inaugural 2017 kits (especially with the inaugural season patch) are currently the most valuable on the secondary market. If you have one, keep it in good condition; it’s basically a blue-chip stock for Atlanta soccer fans.
Getting the right kit is about more than just the colors. It's about representing the 404. Whether you’re in the Supporters Section or watching from a bar in Decatur, the shirt is the flag you fly. Choose the one that fits your version of the city.