DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
RateTheRef
HTML https://ratetheref.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: General Discussion
*****************************************************
#Post#: 103393--------------------------------------------------
USA vs. Belgium - Esteban Ostojich (Uruguay)
DIR By: NRUReferee
Date: March 29, 2026, 7:44 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Interesting story coming out of last nights friendly
ATLANTA – Before the U.S. men's national team 5-2 collapse to
Belgium was even truly underway, there was a glaring oddity on
the pitch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. The two sides
were wearing two different kits but both inside the stadium and
on international broadcasts, the looks were hard to tell apart.
The pair were debuting new jerseys that will be worn at the
World Cup, each of them with a distinct look in their own right.
The USMNT unveiled their stripes kit, a Nike design that pulls
directly from the red and white stripes in the American flag,
while Belgium sported their away kit created by Adidas.
Belgium's strip is a pale blue with a light pink circular
pattern inspired by surrealist art popularized in the country
after World War I.
Up against one another, though, their similarities were hard to
ignore. Both appeared to have white or very light base colors
from any amount of distance, something that was especially true
from the back since the USMNT kit features a solid white block
where the names and numbers are printed. It created as much
confusion for onlookers as it did for the players on the pitch,
who did not attribute the result to the conflicting looks but
still found it hard to ignore.
USMNT forward Christian Pulisic said the situation was
"difficult to deal with" and that "everyone was a bit shocked,"
adding that it should have been avoided.
"It's not an excuse at all because both teams deal with that,
but that can't happen," Pulisic said after the match. "That was
a bit strange … It's difficult. A lot of times you get the ball
and you look up, you can't really lock in on something. You only
can base it off the color of the shirt. That's how it works. And
when it's very similar, it's difficult."
Avoiding a kit clash generally falls under the purview of the
refereeing team, though both teams have input in the matter. The
International Football Association Board, which oversees the
sport's officiating procedures, states in rule 4.3 in the Laws
of the Game that "the two teams must wear colors that
distinguish them from each other and the match officials," a
rule that extends to goalkeeper kits.
A U.S. Soccer spokesperson said the decision was made well in
advance for the team to wear the stripes jersey and was
discussed in multiple meetings between the responsible parties
in the build-up to the match. Sources close to Belgium's team,
though, say the onus should have been on the U.S. team to wear
their navy blue stars kit instead since it did not conflict with
either the Belgium's red home jersey or their light blue away
jersey.
Teams are allowed to change parts or the entirety of their kits
mid-match if an issue is spotted but a change was unable to be
made. Belgium had already shipped unneeded equipment to Chicago,
where they will face Mexico on Tuesday, a fairly common practice
for teams making multiple stops in the span of a week while it
is unclear if U.S. Soccer would have been able to arrange for a
change in a short time span.
#Post#: 103417--------------------------------------------------
Re: USA vs. Belgium - Esteban Ostojich (Uruguay)
DIR By: gooner
Date: March 30, 2026, 9:39 am
---------------------------------------------------------
hi,
after seeing the highlights, i can sort of understand what
Pulisic means, but to be honest, it's a bit of a feeble excuse
as USA were pretty much played off the park without Belgium
really getting out of second gear. the american keeper, matt
turner - veteran of 7 arsenal appearances over 2 seasons, made a
number of crucial saves to keep the score respectable.
although both teams wore light-ish shirts, USA wore black/navy
shorts and Belgium wore white. if it was such an issue, why
didn't they change at half time? if the kit man hadn't packed a
change kit, i'm sure there must of been a merchandise store at
the stadium selling replica tops.
regards,
gnr
#Post#: 103419--------------------------------------------------
Re: USA vs. Belgium - Esteban Ostojich (Uruguay)
DIR By: ShoeRef
Date: March 30, 2026, 10:06 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Having looked at the kits, I have some empathy with the match
officials. It's one of those where you don't really anticipate
it being too bad looking up close in the changing room, but once
you get outside with players moving at pace it probably looks a
bit too close. If both teams are promoting a new kit, both are
going to be reluctant to change.
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 1