Portland Thorns FC Reveal 2013 Kits; Providence to be Kit Sponsor

The Portland Thorns FC have finally unveiled the kits that they'll be wearing for this year's upcoming 2013 inaugural NWSL season and they're not bad! As expected Nike is the kit manufacturer for the Thorns and I believe the league at large. They've opted to go with a red kit with a broad white stripe on the upper half of the kit. A bit plain, if you ask me, but then Nike is typically the less audacious of the various kit manufacturers so it's expected.

In other kit related news, the Thorns announced that Providence Health & Services will adorn the primary sponsor spot on the Thorns' kit as part of a multi-year agreement. Here's what they had to say about the sponsorship:

"We're pleased to partner with Portland Thorns FC," said Dave Underriner, chief operating officer for Providence in Oregon. "This builds on the success of our existing relationship with the Timbers and provides new opportunities to promote health and wellness in our communities."

All in all it looks like everything is finally coming together, even if it's all a bit last minute. It's nice to see the Thorns not only getting solid attendance numbers, but a kit sponsor to help with their finances. Hopefully it'll ensure a long lasting club, though I'm sure much of that still has to do with the league at large.

You can watch the kit unveiling video right here:

What do you think of the new kits and sponsor for the Thorns?

Full press release:

PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC today announced Providence Health & Services as the official Presenting Partner of Portland Thorns FC and the club's primary jersey sponsor while unveiling the team's kits for the inaugural National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season. The multi-year deal is highlighted by Providence Health & Services name prominently featured on the front of the Thorns FC jerseys beginning with the inaugural match of the NWSL on April 13.

The primary red home jersey, produced by Oregon-based sports apparel manufacturer Nike, features a solid red layout with a horizontal white bar across the upper chest containing the Thorns FC crest. The away jersey is solid white top. Both home and away jerseys also feature a secondary sponsor logo from local retailer Parklane Mattresses on the back of the jersey.

The sponsorship with Providence Health & Services further expands the healthcare provider's commitment to soccer in the Portland community in addition to its partnership with the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer and the innovative, 12,000-square-foot Providence Sports Care Center located in the southeast corner of JELD-WEN Field.

"We're pleased to partner with Portland Thorns FC," said Dave Underriner, chief operating officer for Providence in Oregon. "This builds on the success of our existing relationship with the Timbers and provides new opportunities to promote health and wellness in our communities."

As the official healthcare provider of Portland Thorns FC, Providence Health & Services and the club are partnering together to advance health and fitness causes with a point of emphasis on women and children in the community through programs such as the Providence Heart and Vascular Institute's PlaySmart youth heart screenings, the Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children's Healthy ‘n' Fit pediatric weight management program and Providence Health and Fitness Days at JELD-WEN Field.

"We are proud to have Providence as the presenting sponsor of Portland Thorns FC," said the club's chief operations officer Mike Golub. "Providence shares our strong commitment to the community, youth sports and fitness and we are honored to have them as a partner."

Through their partnership with Thorns FC, Providence Health & Services will broaden their "Tickets to Kids" program to include both Portland Timbers and Thorns FC matches. For every Thorns FC home game, Providence Health & Services will donate 25 tickets to underprivileged Portland-area youth.

The NWSL regular-season schedule kicks off on Saturday, April 13, as Thorns FC travel to face FC Kansas City at Shawnee Mission District Stadium in Overland Park, Kan. Portland returns home on April 21 for the team's inaugural home-opening match against Seattle Reign FC at JELD-WEN Field.