Grades and Reaction: Canadian Premier League reveals their 2021 kits

Off the back of the recent announcement that there will be a season 3 of the Canadian Premier League, and it will begin with a month long bubble tournament in Winnipeg, the league has wasted zero time giving us what we REALLY want ...

NEW KITS!!!!!!!!

It’s time to knee-jerk grade them.

Let’s. Do. This.

Firstly, it would appear that the 2021 lineup is grouped under the common “Community Kit” banner, which, is kinda the same idea as always? I mean, they SHOULD reflect the communities they’re in, so good?

Second, we have a new shirt sponsor!!! ACK! it’s a betting company! (two steps forward ...)

Anyhoo, I digress. The kits. The grades. Roped in Mark Hinkley for his letter grades because it’s meaningless to do this without him:)

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ATLETICO OTTAWA 2021 HOME

Canpl.ca

I mean, come on!

Decent kit, really can’t go wrong with the Atleti stripes, but if I’m honest, I preferred last year’s. The puns based on that shirt sponsor are going to be legendary.

GRADE:

JPN: B-

MH: A

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CAVALRY FC 2021 HOME

Canpl.ca

This is sharp. that sublimated horsey thing is pretty dope, as is the solid red. Sublimated prints and Macron is weird to me but dang I like this.

GRADE:

JPN: A-

MH: B-

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FC EDMONTON 2021 HOME

Canpl.ca

You had me at “Royal Blue Faux Denim”. I freaking love this. Fit looks puma-tight though, so points must be deducted.

GRADE:

JPN: A

MH: B

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FORGE FC 2021 HOME

Canpl.ca

I am confused, what’s with that hint of white under the armpits? Bad photoshop? Macular degeneration on my side? A surprise inseam that makes no sense? Champions (x2) sleeve patch is lit, that collar is shades of the 2019 away and I hate it. But it has a sublimated dragon so maybe it’s actually the best of the bunch.

GRADE:

JPN: B (would be a C but that sleeve patch is everything)

MH: B+

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HFX WANDERERS 2021 HOME

Canpl.ca

Oh. My. Gawd. It’s two-tone blue like my dad’s old Chevy Astro van and I am here for this. Has to be my fave of the series. Just fabulous.

GRADE:

JPN: A++

MH: A

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PACIFIC FC 2021 HOME

Canpl.ca

There is a LOT going on here, bordering on too much. First, a purple kit is always going to get noticed, and adding subtle hoops that diffuse into that purple as they climb up the shirt is both a nice detail and tremendous overkill. Hate the collar as it makes no sense, love the black accents as they add weight to whatever that half collar is trying to be.

GRADE:

JPN: B-

MH: C+

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VALOUR FC 2021 HOME

Canpl.ca

The good news: the double collar has been sent back to Hell, where it belongs. The hoops only on the red side of the kit is kinda sweet. Gold accents will never not be sick. The double collar is gone.

The bad news: The double collar may be gone, but it seems the desire to double up isn’t. This feels like two shirts sewn together for a cup tie, and my brain hurts.

GRADE:

JPN: B-

MH: B

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YORK UNITED 2021 HOME

Canpl.ca

LOL, “How many CN Towers can we cram into our marketing?” I’m pretty sure you need a telescope to see la tour CN from north of Steeles. Glad that rebrand is working because I’m 5x more confused as to where this team plays and who it represents.

As for the kit? it’s actually really nice. No screaming neon green, so there’s that, and the cross design elevates what is a boring white t-shirt to “better than MLS” level.

GRADE:

JPN: B-

MH: B+

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Overall, not the best we’ve seen, but not the worst either. It’s great to have our domestic league back, that’s the real takeaway here.

What do you think of the new 2021 CPL kits? Let us know in the comments!