Philadelphia Union Third Adidas 2012-13 Player Issue Jersey XL

Philadelphia Union 2012-13 — The Adidas Player Issue Third Kit from the Depths of MLS

In 2012, Philadelphia Union was only three years old in MLS, but already building its identity at lightning speed. This 2012-13 Adidas Player Issue third jersey didn't come off a retail store shelf — it's a piece cut for the pros, prepared to be worn on the field, not folded in a box. And that changes everything.

Jersey details

Season: 2012-2013
Club: Philadelphia Union
Type: Third
Kit Manufacturer: Adidas
Sponsor: BIMBO
Condition: 10/10
Status: NEW, LITTLE SPOTS — some slight marks, authentic wear of a vintage jersey taken directly from professional stock

What this jersey represents

Philadelphia Union was founded in 2010 and joined Major League Soccer as a new, hungry franchise, with a fanbase built on the fervor of PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. In 2012-13, the club was in a full building phase — it was finding its footing in MLS, testing its rotations, and beginning to lay the foundations of what would become one of the strongest clubs in the Eastern Conference. This collector's third jersey precisely captures this pivotal period, this moment suspended between a club's adolescence and its maturity.

On the field, the 2012 season saw men like Sebastián Le Toux, a Belgian forward who played for Vancouver and became a Union figure, or Danny Mwanga, the franchise's first pick in the 2010 SuperDraft and a symbol of the Philadelphia project's youth. The atmosphere at PPL Park was that of a club that was truly beginning to exist, with supporters — the Sons of Ben — among the most passionate in the entire American league. American soccer in 2012 was already serious, and this jersey is the material proof.

Moments etched in this jersey

The rise of the MLS East
In 2012, the Eastern Conference was a real cauldron of budding rivalries. Philly fought match after match to establish itself among major franchises like New York Red Bulls or D.C. United, and every point gained was an additional victory for a still very young franchise.

BIMBO sponsorship — an American story
The BIMBO logo on this jersey is one of the most emblematic sponsors of MLS at that time. The Mexican group Bimbo, a giant in industrial baking, was solidly established in American soccer, and its name on a third jersey as rare as this one makes it today a collector's item in its own right for fans of vintage MLS jerseys.

A third jersey — the rarest piece in the locker room
In any team, the third jersey is the one seen least on the field, only brought out when the first two kits pose a visual problem. In Player Issue version, it's even rarer — limited edition, professional finishes, technical material different from the replica sold to the general public. Finding this in 2024 is already an achievement.

Authentic Player Issue vs. Replica

A Player Issue jersey is the version distributed directly to professional players before matches. The fit is different — more fitted, more technical — the fabric is designed for real on-field performance, and the finishing details (seams, badges, internal tags) are not the same as on the retail version. When you hold a Player Issue in your hands, you feel it immediately: it's serious, genuine, made for playing.

This Philadelphia Union third Adidas 2012-13 jersey is stamped Player Issue, which automatically places it in a superior category for any serious collector. The NEW condition with some slight marks — the famous "little spots" — only adds to its credibility: it came from the club's stock, not a vacuum-sealed store. It's the real life of a professional locker room jersey.

Vintage size guide

Adidas Player Issue jerseys from this era follow athletic cuts designed for professional players, often more fitted than modern general public standards. A 2012 Player Issue XL can be similar to a comfortable L, or even M, depending on your build. Don't rely solely on the tag — always compare with your own measurements.

Before confirming your order, measure your shoulder width and chest circumference, and compare with the actual dimensions of the jersey available in the product sheet. A poorly sized vintage jersey stays in the drawer — a jersey that fits you ends up hanging on the wall or on your back for big nights. Take two minutes, it's worth it.

Why have it in your collection

Vintage MLS jerseys from the 2010s are still largely underestimated in the European collector's jersey market, and that's exactly what makes it a real opportunity today. Philadelphia Union is a club that has since gained international notoriety — particularly through its work on player development and its ambitious sports project — which retrospectively gives a lot of value to its early locker room pieces. A 2012-13 Adidas Player Issue third is ultra-rare even in the United States.

There aren't many in this condition. A Player Issue jersey from professional stock, rated 10/10, NEW condition — it's the perfect combination for a piece that won't lose value. Whether you're a Union fan, a collector of vintage Adidas jerseys, or an American soccer enthusiast in general, this piece ticks all the boxes. It won't last the week.

To go further

• Philadelphia Union — Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive — Kit History
• MLS Soccer — Official Major League Soccer Website

If you're looking for an MLS piece that truly stands out, tells a real story, and isn't found in every display case — this is it. Your move.