We all live here. The Neighborhood Kit

Since the beginning the Chicago Red Stars adopted the city as its literal branding and have a long history of producing epic kits in the game. So why does this 2020 away hit home for so many? Why did this bring me a smile in a time where joy is hard to find?

This year’s newest kit is an away kit, white in color, and is literally carrying the city with players as they take the pitch. The Red Stars once again pay homage to the city and its flag on this version of the Jersey.  However, representing the blue stripes going across the chest are several of Chicago's neighborhoods and community areas. 

It's representing the South side, the North side, the West side and yes even the East side (you’re real one if you know what that is) all on one side of the jersey where four red stars are nestled between them safely. On the back of the jersey is the city's iconic skyline, and a shared commonality with last year's 2019 elevated kit, making it the perfect equal.

Those who are native to Chicago, will likely feel an immediate connection to this jersey, myself included. Being born here, raised here, gone to school here, ate here, done just about everything here —it was just normal for me, being from a part of Chicago that people have rarely heard of or have an even less desire to visit was common for me growing up whenever I encountered someone new in my life who wasn't from the 10th ward — the largest ward in the city. 

South Chicago isn’t known for its coffee shops, or even its parks. It might be a neighborhood people have heard about or associate with not so good news. For some, it’s known for being the skeleton of a working neighborhood home to former steel mill families. Representing Mexican, Jamaican, Polish, Irish immigrants and more. It’s not a neighborhood people immediately think of when they think of the City of Chicago. For me, it’s still that working class neighborhood. It’s a place my parents decided to start their family, before wanting more. It’s a neighborhood I'm fiercely protective of to this day, especially because you probably haven’t heard of it.

Seeing my neighborhood on a pro sports jersey isn’t something I'd ever think I would see, and believe it or not, it's given me an even bigger sense of pride being from here. I hope we all get to see these jersey’s in action some way or other, and I look forward to hearing where everyone is from and pointing it out on the jersey.