
Nikki Marshall (right, bottom row) shows off the magicTalk SC/Washington Freedom home uniform at the Puma unveiling on Feb. 3. That kit looks like it could change as the team rebrands.
Those WPS uniforms unveiled on Feb. 3 in New York City may not be finalized after all. Not for magicTalk SC/Washington Freedom, at least.
The club, which is expected to soon officially drop its “Washington Freedom” part of the name altogether, is working on securing uniforms that represent that identity change. That would include changing the team’s uniforms and logo as well.
“magicTalk SC/Washington Freedom are still working through some options for their uniform colors and style in 2011,” WPS league spokesman Rob Penner said. “As soon as an official decision is made, the team will be sure to formally unveil theri 2011 kits and team name and branding.”
Team owner Dan Borislow said the decision is still up in the air. A lot of it depends on Puma’s abilities to make the change under such a tight time frame. Puma begins planning for uniforms about 18 months in advance. Making such drastic changes as magicTalk SC/Washington Freedom wants to make puts Puma up against a tight deadline. The WPS season begins in less than two months.
The current team jerseys, which were unveiled two weeks ago in New York City, feature the Washington Freedom crest and the pinstripes that were slowly turning into the team’s WPS identity. Nikki Marshall modeled the magicTalk SC/Washington Freedom uniform at the event.
Tara McRae, senior director of marketing for Puma North America, had this to say:
“PUMA has been a supporter of Women’s Professional Soccer since its inception, and we will continue to support its evolution and the betterment of the league, its teams, and its players to the fullest of our abilities. We unveiled the jersey at our 2011 Women’s Soccer Launch as it exists currently. Should any modifications be made due to official changes in the team’s name or logo, we’ll communicate that accordingly.”
On the Stadium Front:
Our Game Magazine is reporting that all magicTalk SC/Washington Freedom home games will be played at Florida Atlantic University. However, sources close to the situation said there is still a possibility that the team could play some games at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Since there is not yet an indication as to which games those will be, the team’s venue will probably be listed as “TBA” in Thursday’s WPS schedule release. FAU will indeed be the team’s primary home.
Also, Thursday should bring the official transition of the team’s name to something less transitional than the placeholder name of magicTalk SC/Washington Freedom. That should just make the change to magicTalk SC official.
"PUMA has been a supporter of Women's Professional Soccer since its inception, and we will continue to support its evolution and the betterment of the league, its teams, and its players to the fullest of our abilities. We unveiled the 2011 MagicTalk SC/Washington Freedom jersey at our 2011 Women's Soccer Launch as it exists currently. Should any modifications be made due to official changes in the team's name or logo, we'll communicate that accordingly."
