New York City FC Away Adidas 2015-16 Vintage Collector Jersey

New York City FC 2015-16 – The Adidas away jersey from their second MLS season

2015-16 marks only the New York City FC's second season in the MLS. A brand-new club, bankrolled by the City Football Group, already boasting big names — and this Adidas away jersey sponsored by Etihad Airways is a direct textile trace of that. Rare. Concrete. Authentic.

Jersey Details

Season: 2015-2016
Club: New York City FC
Type: Away
Kit Manufacturer: Adidas
Sponsor: ETIHAD AIRWAYS
Condition: 8/10
State: LITTLE SPOT – slight authentic wear, a scar from a jersey that truly existed on a back or in the stands

What this jersey represents

New York City FC was officially founded in 2015, the result of a colossal project led by the City Football Group — the same group that owns Manchester City — and the New York Yankees. From the outset, the ambition was huge: to establish a serious football club in the world's capital, not just a tourist franchise. The link with Etihad Airways, the visible sponsor on this jersey, is not insignificant — it directly connects the New York club to Manchester City's football empire and its international financial power.

The 2015-16 season was the club's second campaign in Major League Soccer. At that time, NYCFC lined up international caliber players who were absolutely improbable for such a young franchise on the Yankee Stadium pitch — a converted baseball field, a detail that speaks volumes about the pioneering and sometimes makeshift nature of the adventure. David Villa, who had just made history in Spanish football with La Roja and FC Barcelona, wore the club's colors. Frank Lampard, a Chelsea and England legend, was also part of the team — admittedly in a complicated context involving a loan and a definitive arrival, but his presence in the squad remains a reality of that period. Mix Diskerud, the technical Norwegian, was one of the cogs in the team's play.

Moments etched into this jersey

David Villa, the club's top scorer from day one
The Spanish striker immediately established himself as the face of NYCFC, racking up goals in MLS with an efficiency that surprised no one. He quickly became the offensive locomotive of a project that needed him to exist in the eyes of the American and international public.

Yankee Stadium, a football pitch in a baseball stadium
Playing in an arena designed for baseball gave this period a unique, almost surreal atmosphere. The dimensions of the pitch, the angles of the stands, all of this is part of the folklore of NYCFC's early days — and this away jersey is a direct souvenir of that.

Building an identity in MLS against established giants
Competing with the already established New York Red Bulls, with a solid fan base, was NYCFC's primary existential challenge. In 2015-16, this New York derby began to grow — and the Adidas away jersey of this season was worn in this context of intense identity building.

Authentic vs. Replica

A vintage authentic jersey is a piece that was manufactured during the season — not a recent reproduction, not a re-issue. The finishes, the labels, the materials, the flocking if present: everything speaks of its era. On an authentic of this Adidas MLS generation, you'll find the manufacturing characteristics of the 2015s, particularly the technical fabrics of the time and the heat-pressed or embroidered badges depending on the version.

This one is listed in 8/10 condition with a slight spot — a small mark that in no way compromises the overall look of the jersey, but proves that the piece is real, that it had a life. For a serious collector, that's often what makes the difference between a sanitized display item and a true collectible with history.

Vintage Size Guide

The vintage sizes of Adidas jerseys from the 2010s can be surprising if you order without checking your measurements. A size L from that era is often cut more fitted than a modern L — cuts have evolved, as have comfort standards. What was considered large in 2015 might today correspond more to a contemporary M depending on the brand.

Before confirming your order, measure your chest circumference and compare it to the actual measurements of the jersey if available. Generally, for this type of vintage Adidas L jersey, it's around 50-52 cm flat width — or 100-104 cm chest circumference. But we insist: measure first, then order.

Why have it in your collection

The jerseys from NYCFC's early seasons are objectively rare on the European vintage market. As the club is American and relatively recent in its history, its early textile pieces are not circulating en masse in jersey markets or on old continent resale platforms. Owning an Adidas NYCFC 2015-16 away jersey with the Etihad sponsor means possessing a piece that documents the very first years of a club that has since found its legitimacy — particularly with its MLS Cup title in 2021.

At 8/10 with just a small spot, it's an honest and realistic condition for a jersey from that era that hasn't spent ten years under plastic. There aren't many in this condition on the market, even fewer for this specific season's away kit. If you're looking to document the history of MLS, the rise of soccer in the United States, or simply want a David Villa jersey in your wardrobe — now's the time.

To go further

• New York City FC – Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive – History of jerseys
• MLS Soccer – Official American Football

If the history of American football speaks to you, if David Villa is one of your references, or if you want a piece that truly stands out from the beaten path of European vintage — this jersey clearly deserves a place in your collection. It's up to you.