With a niche following that had yet to really blossom to what it is now, the MLS has birthed several iconic franchises when it originally launched in 1996 with ten teams. Among the original teams were the Tampa Bay Mutiny. Now defunct, nostalgic fans and avid kit collectors, will certainly remember the club. Most will remember them being led by Colombian legend Carlos Valderrama whose hair was recognizable from several miles away. It’s been nearly 20 years since the Mutiny played a match, but their legacy lives in the form of their notorious kits. You’ll see them pop up ever now and then with the price tag to match, but for those not in the know and looking for a bit more insight, we take a closer look at some of the shirts.
1996 Home Kit
We start off our list with Tampa Bay’s eye-catching 1996 Away kit. It’s certainly peak 90’s with bold colors and an interesting pattern on the shoulders. The green and yellow is a nod to their predecessors, the Tampa Bay Rowdies who were best known for their time in the NASL.
1997 Home Kit
When you think of early Mutiny kits, this is certainly one that comes to mind. In the iconic striped design with a mix of white, light blue and dark blue, this shirt is one of the more desired options. Complete with the classic Nike swoosh, it doesn’t get any better than this. You’ll find far and few sizes available on the open market, but you’ll have to pay up to get them at sites like CFS.
1998 Home Kit
Switching from thicker to thin stripes, the Mutiny’s 1998 Home kit will certainly be found on the top of the list for MLS collectors. The mix of colors with contrasting green accents really set this shirt off. It screams 90’s and we can’t get enough of it. Finished off with the Nike size tag, what an era.
1999 Away Kit
For their Away fixtures, the Mutiny suited up in this beautiful shirt. White was the main color and complemented by green and blue stripes. The club’s name sits perfectly in the classic dark blue to complete the look.
2000 Home Kit
For those who go crazy over the centered crest and Nike swoosh, it doesn’t get any better than the Mutiny’s 2000 Home shirt. They simplified the design to feature a thick blue bar going down the center with white surrounding it.
