The looming college soccer season gives fans everywhere a chance to debate the big story lines and important things to watch ahead of the coming year – who the best players might be, who will win the national title, that sort of thing.

Casey Townsend in a Maryland jersey

And we here at TopDrawerSoccer.com take our responsibility to cover those stories very seriously, as our breakdown and preview of college soccer continues. It also fits in well with today's discussion:

Who has the best uniforms in college soccer (men's or women's)?

Travis Clark: I'm about the furthest thing from a fashion expert. And while shiny uniforms aren't really my cup of tea, I do like the sharp look of the Akron Zips and the traditional colors of the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Add in cleats like these and there’s little reason why another program can surpass that combination.

However, I'm going to be a bit of a homer here, and cast my vote for the University of Maryland soccer jersey. Everyone remembers the appearance of the school's football jerseys on ESPN last year, with a very obvious nod to the Maryland state flag. The same can be said about the soccer teams’ shirts as well, as the flag is incorporated into the soccer jerseys with spectacular results.

I think it's that extra pizazz of the flag that makes those jerseys the best in the nation.

J.R. Eskilson: I like the Maryland jerseys too, but from a traditional standpoint, you can't go wrong with the Indiana jersey. 

The jersey of the powerhouse of college soccer is symbolic with the sport. 

There are very few jerseys that are as easily recognizable as the Hoosiers colors on a green field. It has not changed much over the years but when it starts as classy, clean, and crisp, there is not much need for improvement. 

Caroline Yort:  I know a lot of the club players love Charlotte's version of the "Where's Waldo" (or Celtic) stripe, but my eyes have a hard time seeing the numbers through that green and white.  My favorite, being born and bred in the ACC, has to be Carolina Blue.  It doesn't matter in the least what the uniform looks like, it's just the color.  As they say, "If God is not a Tar Heel, then why is the sky Carolina Blue?"

Travis Clark’s Final Word: Nice try J.R. and Caroline, good effort – but for me, tradition might as well be a synonym for boring. Which is why I’m sticking with my original assertion that Maryland does indeed have the best uniform.

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