At Third Degree, we're just a bunch of kit nerds where trying to decipher the new jersey is a fun break from trying to pick up the signals on the next signing. That said, while MLS teams are revealing their jerseys earlier than usual this year, let's take a look at what FC Dallas could be sporting come March 3.

This year is a departure from previous years with what adidas is producing. Usually MLS teams are largely based around the Condivo series, much like the last FC Dallas home jersey. The Condivo 18 has not featured in any of the MLS designs, in fact none of their standard templates have. What has become apparent is that MLS teams are getting two overall styles with a couple of variations.

On to FC Dallas specifically. We've already seen Mauro Diaz sporting the new shorts and socks thanks to this screencap from South End Dallas.

#FCD KIT LEAK ALERT: Pictures of Mauro Diaz look to confirm the rumor that Dallas is switching from royal blue to navy blue. Socks look to be solid navy, while shorts are red. Shirt is rumored to be red with a contrasting sleeve color (navy or white) [upperV03] pic.twitter.com/Aesfm3Nec3 — South 𓄀 End (@SouthEndDallas) January 21, 2018

Back to red shorts, which was the intention for 2016 before the wrong shorts were taken to the same media day. It is likely that there will be a white option again, but the socks are new. They appear to be navy blue, rather than the royal blue FC Dallas typically goes with. Either way, it's a huge departure from anything FC Dallas have had. The jersey is the important part right? So on to what we don't know yet.

The strongest whispers are that it's a red shirt with blue sleeves. There's a possibility of white sleeves but that's Arsenal's iconic look, and we know the Hunts are desperate to get rid of the hoops branding so the easiest way is to eliminate the secondary color - white - altogether. Portland, Philly and DC all have different styles of subtle hoops. Dan Hunt had mentioned banding, so that could be a similar pattern or it could just mean the red and white hoops from the adidas branding at the top of the socks.

Why the blue? I think there's a possibility that this is a nod to Oscar Pareja, since this is a similar theme to Independiente Medellin, Papi's former side. These decisions are made two years in advance, so right between those two 60-point seasons where Pareja had changed so much from Schellas Hyndman's final season. Does it seem crazy to plan to honor your coach two years out? Yes. Was it ever conceivable that the Hunts would fire Pareja under any circumstance? No. The increased blue branding on all FC Dallas platforms, and those new blue seats on the south end, lean towards the idea of more blue. Oscar Pareja wore a navy team hoodie in Orlando for the MLS Combine, when typically this has been royal blue to reflect the alternate color of the jersey or black which is typically reserved for coaches.

So here are what seem like the three most likely constructions of a jersey. Please note these are merely guesses based on what we know of the product line and have heard so far.

Firstly the 'EQT' style. This is based around the iconic early '90s look that teams such as Liverpool wore. The collar comes straight from that '90s kit, with the under arm stripes used since most competition rules forbid the enormous diagonal stripes seen on the 1992 Liverpool top. South African side, Orlando Pirates, do have the kits complete with the shoulder decoration. New York Red Bulls and the Portland Timbers both received variations of this look for 2018.

The other two feature a shoulder panel and shorter stripes over the shoulder like the current away jersey. There's the overlapping collar that you'll see on this year's New England, LA Galaxy and Atlanta United jerseys. This was colored with white sleeves to demonstrate that look but nothing to get too excited by.

Next we have what I think is most likely. The henley collar, as seen on last year's secondary jersey, is something adidas are using frequently. You can see that on the new Columbus and DC United jerseys, as well as last year's Portland and DC jerseys. In this case, we've colored the shoulder panel blue in addition to the sleeves.

The only thing left to ask is when will the kit be announced? Previously this was done as part of MLS Jersey Week at Cocktails and Cleats. Jersey Week is no more, and Cocktails and Cleats has been announced for August this year. While you're pondering that though, here are the current releases and leaks from around MLS.