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Move over, Deuce. There's a new MLS merch king in town.
Today, courtesy of ESPNFC's Jeff Carlisle, we heard the news that Andrea Pirlo has the best-selling jersey in MLS in 2016, currently outpacing Seattle Sounders ace Clint Dempsey, whose shirt was the league's most popular in each of the last two seasons.
And, hey! Wouldn't ya know it, David Villa sits right behind the former U.S. National Team captain in third, with fellow designated player Frank Lampard settling into the ninth position.
What a difference a year makes! Another case in point: Bradley Wright-Phillips's #99 shirt was the seventh-highest seller in the league in 2015. This year, as it stands, not a single Red Bulls player is among the top twenty.
Enjoy that.
Even with Pirlo unseating Dempsey for the top spot, there's no reason for concern out in the Pacific Northwest-- the Sounders still have four players among the top twenty best-sellers, including rookie scion Jordan Morris (4th), the most popular shirt for a non-Designated Player. The Portland Timbers and the LA Galaxy are even with New York City with three players each among the twenty best.
Sporting KC and Orlando City place two players each on the current list.
Said NYCFC President Jon Patricof on the occasion:
"It is quite an honor that we have three players who are in the top 10 for jersey sales in MLS this season. It’s a huge testament to our fans from New York City and around the world as they continue to show their support for our club."
Good job, people!
TOP 20 BEST-SELLING JERSEYS ON MLSSTORE.COM IN 2016
- Andrea Pirlo, New York City FC
- Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders
- David Villa, New York City FC
- Jordan Morris, Seattle Sounders
- Steven Gerrard, LA Galaxy
- Kaka, Orlando City SC
- Didier Drogba, Montreal Impact
- Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC
- Frank Lampard, New York City FC
- Dom Dwyer, Sporting KC
- Darlington Nagbe, Portland Timbers
- Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers
- Giovani Dos Santos, LA Galaxy
- Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy
- Graham Zusi, Sporting KC
- Nat Borchers, Portland Timbers
- Brad Evans, Seattle Sounders
- Osvaldo Alonso, Seattle Sounders
- Brek Shea, Orlando City SC
- Kei Kamara, Columbus Crew --> New England Revolution