Topics: MLS
Just before its 18th birthday, Major League Soccer changes its image, hoping to keep growth coming into the organization.

One of the most forward-thinking leagues throughout the world presented its new image. Major League Soccer leaves behind the logo that started everything, presenting a more sober version for the league's crest after eighteen years.

Fully re-designed, the logo leaves out the cleat and the ball that characterized the league during its 18-year existence, and league officials shared their thoughts on what will be MLS' intention with this new logo:

“The new brand’s design is intended to say “soccer” without the literal ball and cleat. In the end, we decided that the inclusion of a ball and cleat is unnecessary as it dates us very quickly (due to the fast pace of innovation in our game) while many other ways exist to signal we are a soccer league."

One of the most interesting features will be that each team will have their own version of the league's logo. To avoid confusion, the same press release ellaborated on the matter:

“It means each club will get a version of the league crest, which better reflects their clubs identity and local market. This is not a replacement for the club brand; instead the new league brand compliments and allows the club to be the real hero. We want to reinforce the ethos of the new brand, which encourages clubs to “own” and adapt the crest to match the colors they and their fans associate with and support.”

The new league logo will be introduced today with the unveiling of the FIFA 15 videogame.

A look at MLS' new crest and the variations for all the teams:

Like it? Hate it? Here are some fans' opinions about it!