NEW YORK – New York City FC Tuesday unveiled its 2021 “Bronx Blue” primary kit, paying homage to the New Yorkers among us who have been an integral part to the city.

To launch the new adidas kit design, NYCFC has spotlighted New Yorkers who have not only supported the club since its inaugural season, but also gave life to city during the darkest times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Featured in the reveal photography shot in the shadow of NYCFC’s home – Yankee Stadium in the South Bronx, Jamie is an avid NYCFC supporter from Washington Heights and has been working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic as a Nurse Practitioner.

Oumou is a Mali native who has made the Bronx her home. She has been a coach with City in the Community (CITC) since 2010, bringing the beautiful game to youth through CITC-led programming. Jamie and Oumou represent all those across the five boroughs who have put down roots in New York City and embraced the hustle to contribute to something bigger than themselves.

NYCFC players James Sands and Tayvon Gray also were featured in the launch of the kit. Both graduates of NYCFC’s Academy, Sands is the club’s first Homegrown player while Gray is the first Bronx native to join the first team.

The kit design features the club’s iconic blue colorway with a tonal striped pattern inspired by the different uniforms of New York City’s municipal workers. The white trim details give a nostalgic nod to NYCFC’s very first jersey design from 2015, but takes on a modern, contemporary design. An adaptation of the New York City flag is emblazoned above the player nameplate.

“I like the new shirt a lot,” Sands said in a statement. “It reminds me of the jersey from the inaugural season. At that point, I was still just a fan so it brings back some good memories for sure. It is always special for me to put on the jersey because I’ve seen my role in the team change so much over the past couple of years. From signing my first contract, to getting a few minutes here and there, to becoming a starter, and hopefully progressing onwards from there. I hope to inspire the next generation to do the same.

“I am especially proud to wear this new shirt this year because it represents New York City as a whole. The city has gone through so much and we would not be here without our frontline and essential workers. When we put on the shirt, we are proud to represent our supporters, our City and our local heroes.”

To continue to recognize the heroes among us like Jamie, and all other essential workers within our community, NYCFC will be creating ‘Heroes Row” in-stadium for the 2021 season. Each home match, NYCFC will choose a frontline/essential worker and their family to celebrate, giving them prime seats in this row to enhance their game experience and thank them for their part in getting us all through the past 12 months.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.