2012 will mark a historic year for the Houston Dynamo franchise. In less than three weeks, the club will play its inaugural match in its brand-new home, BBVA Compass Stadium. At Houston Amateur Sports Park, the club’s training facility is well underway, and soon the Dynamo first team will have a training complex off the field to rival the success it has had on it. And on May 26, the Dynamo will move one step closer to leaving its footprint on the soccer community – both domestic and abroad - when it wears its third kit for the first time.

“It’s a soccer tradition to have a third kit,” Dynamo president Chris Canetti said. “Over the last few years, many MLS teams have unveiled third kits. We started this process with adidas a year-and-a-half ago and we are thrilled with the final product.”

When deciding on the concept for a third jersey, Canetti decided to mix the present with the past. The Dynamo’s third kit is orange, but a darker shade of orange than its primary kit. The kit also features vertical stripes and is the first Dynamo jersey in seven years to offer that feature.

“It’s very important for us to maintain our brand integrity and stick with an orange concept,” Canetti said. “I know that in soccer – especially overseas – a team’s third jersey is a far deviant from the normal color. We felt strongly that orange is such a big part about who we are that it would be inappropriate for us to be any other color.”

The Dynamo will debut the third jersey on national TV, when they host the Galaxy on May 26 at 1:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network (BUY TICKETS).

“Theoretically, these jerseys are worn on special occasions, when the spotlight is on the club and we didn’t think it would be beneficial for the growth of our brand to be seen on a national stage in a color other than orange,” Canetti added.

In addition to maintaining its brand integrity, the club wanted to pay homage to the rich soccer history in the city of Houston.

“Another key factor was trying to play off the history and tradition of soccer in Houston,” Canetti said. “The Houston Hurricane had an orange color scheme, so we wanted to incorporate that as well.

“The historical perspective and maintaining our brand were the driving forces behind this concept. We wanted it to be bold, strong and stand out. We wanted to be different and unique. I think when you look at the powerful orange that adidas chose, with the pinstripes that were chosen, it accomplishes all of those goals.”

Fans will have their first opportunity to purchase the third kit at the opening of the adidas Dynamo Team Store on May 3, from 5-7 p.m. The store is located on the east side of BBVA Compass Stadium and the jersey unveiling will be open to the general public. Fans will also have the ability to interact with players and get autographs, as the Dynamo first team will model the uniforms for fans in attendance.

Dynamo defender Bobby Boswell is excited about the third kit and what it represents for the club.

“I like it and I think it’s definitely different than the one we already have,” Boswell said. “It fits in with what the team is trying to do with the Forever Orange campaign. I know a lot of teams go for an alternate color but we are staying orange all the way and I like it. I think the stripes are a nice touch and I look forward to wearing it at a game. Hopefully we will get a good result wearing it against LA.”