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5 easy-to-miss flourishes from 2020 CPL home kits

The full docket of 2020 Canadian Premier League home kits arrived Thursday with Atlético Ottawa’s inaugural strip unveiled during a Facebook Live event hosted by the club.

The CPL’s “original seven” teams revealed their new home kits in February, bringing another set of bespoke designs to Canadian soccer supporters and kit-hungry nerds.


RELATED READING: Reviewing every 2020 Canadian Premier League home kit


While 2020’s full slate of CPL away kits is yet to come, there’s still lots to digest with this set of uniforms, including special features and other small design flourishes that may be missed at first glance.

Here are five easy-to-miss details from this now-completed set of 2020 CPL home kits.


RELATED READING: Atlético Ottawa unveils inaugural 2020 home kit


X marks the spot for FC Edmonton

FCE KIT1
FC Edmonton’s 2020 home kit. (CPL)

The Eddies turn 10 years-old in 2020 and their newest home kit reflects the historic milestone. Maintaining the royal blue home set from last year, FCE have added a roman numeral “X” for the decade they’ve brought football to the City of Champions. The Eddies also have a new sponsor on the front of the kit in discount airline Swoop.

Atlético Ottawa draws inspiration from Rideau Canal, capital city status

The Maple Leaf on the bak of Atlético Ottawa's 2020 home kit. (CPL)
The Maple Leaf on the bak of Atlético Ottawa’s 2020 home kit. (CPL)

Working the red-and-white Atléti look, Atlético Ottawa has managed a few locally-inspired elements into this inaugural kit. For one, a vibrant blue – which is much more abundant than Atlético Madrid offerings – is featured as a nod to the “deep blue water” of the Rideau Canal. Then there’s a much subtler touch on the back: a massive Maple Leaf that sits behind a player’s name and number.

Valour nod to Manitoba’s history with 2020 kit

Another anniversary is celebrated in Winnipeg with Valour FC’s second-ever home kit. The Golden Boy – a distinguished Manitoban symbol from the Manitoba Legislative Building – can be found on the lower back to celebrate the province’s 150th anniversary. Added accents of gold have also been added, including a controversial double-collar.

Forge to sport Gold Champions Badge in 2020

Forge FC's 2019 champions badge. (CPL)
Forge FC’s 2019 champions badge. (CPL)

Speaking of gold, Forge FC’s 2020 home uniform will be the first to don the CPL’s Gold Champion Patch. The reigning champions will sport the patch on the left sleeve.

Six tonal stripes feature across the front of the kit and represent the six regional municipalities in the Hamilton area: Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook, Hamilton and Stoney Creek. A somewhat underused secondary logo – which features a hammer, anvil, and a six-striped handle nodding at the aforementioned communities – is embossed on the opposite side.

‘Last of Barrett’s Privateers’

halifax kit
HFX Wanderers 2020 home kit. (CPL)

Ever thought you’d see Canadian country-folk music featured on a professional soccer kit?

Yes, that sound wave on the front of HFX Wanderers FC’s 2020 home number is from the Stan Rogers classic “Barrett’s Privateers” – a song with deep roots in Atlantic Canada and often sung at Wanderers matches.

Its lyrics, which detail life as a privateer in the late 18th century, has been long adopted by the Wanderers’ supporters group Privateers 1882. How can you get more East Coast than that?

“But I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier / The last of Barrett’s Privateers.”