2005 Real Salt Lake Adidas Vintage Jersey XXL - Inaugural MLS Season

Real Salt Lake 2005: The very first Adidas jersey of an MLS franchise under construction

In 2005, Real Salt Lake had not yet played a single season. The club entered Major League Soccer with a brand new badge, a fanbase to build from scratch, and this vintage Adidas jersey on their backs. It was year zero for a franchise that, a few years later, would shake up the best teams on the continent.

Jersey details

Season: 2005
Club: Real Salt Lake
League: Major League Soccer (MLS)
Kit Manufacturer: Adidas
Size: XXL
Condition: 8/10

What this jersey represents

2005 was Real Salt Lake's inaugural season. The club founded by Dave Checketts was admitted to MLS and played its first matches in Utah, a state that had never before had a professional soccer franchise. The name itself refers to Real Sociedad and the Hispanic tradition of soccer, a clear nod to the large Latino community in the region. This jersey is literally the starting point of a story.

This first squad was composed of hopefuls, players changing careers, and a few names starting to make a name for themselves on the American continent. Jason Kreis, a living MLS legend, was among the key figures of this first season. He brought his experience, his goal-scoring ability, and immediate credibility to a group that was discovering everything at once: the club, the city, and the expectations of a booming league. This was a time when MLS was still building its foundations, and every new club was a gamble on the future of American soccer.

Moments etched in this jersey

The first official MLS match
In April 2005, Real Salt Lake played its very first league matches. Every minute played that season was historic — it was the beginning of an adventure that no one truly knew yet, and this Adidas jersey is a direct witness to it.

Jason Kreis, the man who laid the foundations
A professional forward, Jason Kreis was one of the central figures of this foundational season. He embodied what MLS was trying to build: American soccer with experience, competitiveness, and a true club identity.

A franchise still playing without its permanent stadium
In 2005, RSL did not yet have its permanent stadium — the Rio Tinto Stadium would only open in 2008. The club played in temporary conditions, which makes this breaking-in period even more unique to tell and collect.

Authentic vs. Replica

A vintage authentic jersey is a piece worn or designed to be worn in real competitions — not a reproduction made later for the collector's market. The finishes, flocking, labels, and cuts betray the era with a precision that no re-edition can truly match. This is exactly what you have in your hands here.

This 2005 Adidas Real Salt Lake jersey is in 8/10 condition, which is frankly solid for a piece nearing twenty years old. This means that the fabric, technical details, and overall appearance are well preserved — a rarity for an item from a club's very first season, when production runs were still limited.

Vintage Size Guide

Vintage Adidas jerseys from the 2000s have cuts that do not correspond to current standards. An XXL from 2005 might be equivalent to a modern L or XL depending on the brand — the shoulders fall differently, the fit is less tailored than current templates, but also less "bodyfit" than what we see on the field today. It's a period cut, and that deserves respect.

Before ordering, take your measurements flat: chest circumference, back length, and shoulder width. Then compare them with the actual dimensions of the jersey available on our product sheet. Do not rely on the size indicated on the tag as if it were a modern store purchase — vintage sizes are often deceptive, and it's better to check twice than regret once.

Why have it in your collection

The inaugural season jersey of an MLS club is a piece with obvious symbolic value for any serious collector. Real Salt Lake is now one of the most respected franchises in the Western Conference, with an MLS Cup 2009 to its name. Going back to 2005 is holding the origin of it all in your hands — before the titles, before the stadium, before the notoriety. Pieces from this season are particularly rare because the runs were limited and the club was still little known internationally.

In 8/10 condition, this jersey is in a state that defies its age. There aren't many in this condition after almost twenty years of existence — most have taken hits, washes, or simply disappeared. This one has been preserved properly, and it shows. For a collector of MLS jerseys or early American soccer, this is a real opportunity to cover a piece of history that is hard to find elsewhere.

To go further

• Real Salt Lake - Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive - History of jerseys
• MLS Soccer - Official Major League Soccer Website

If early MLS appeals to you, or if you want to display a piece of American soccer history in your cabinet, this jersey ticks all the boxes. It's up to you to see if you're ready to snatch it up before someone else does.