PHILLIP ALMODOVAR

AKA @Philthegooner

CK: So, who do you follow a team?

PA: New York Red Bulls are my favorite club. I also support Arsenal and the United States Men’s and Women’s National Teams as well!

CK: For those reading about you for the first time, can you tell them a bit about yourself.

PA: I am 24 years old, living in New York. I currently work at a bank in a finance role, but football has always been my biggest passion. I’ve watched and played the game all my life. At first, I just watched the USA in the World Cup with my Dad, but eventually discovered the MLS and was lucky enough to catch Thierry Henry’s career with the Red Bulls. I was then put onto the Premier League by some friends in middle school and watched Arsenal win against Crystal Palace. I wish I had a better reason but that’s why I support Arsenal, they won the first EPL match I ever watched!

"I have a bias to the early 2000’s for sure because that’s when I began watching football. But the kits are amazing! USA had some great ones, their shirt from the 2006 World Cup with the vertical red and blue stripe is simple but nice. And of course there’s one of my personal favorite, the “Where’s Waldo” kit!"

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CK:  How did you get into collecting football shirts?

PA: Back when I was in college, there was a small football shirt shop that wasn’t too far away that did big sales on football shirts all the time. My friends and I went quite frequently, and that’s how my collection really got going! Since then I’ve added to it with more meaningful shirts, mainly purchased from matches I’ve gone to from across the U.S.

CK: Tell us about the first football shirt you ever owned.

PA: My Mom is a staunch Italian national team supporter and wanted me to take her side rather than my Dad’s (he supports Spain), so she made sure to buy my first football shirt - an Andrea Pirlo shirt from 2006. At the time she told me he was the best player in the world! I assume that was just to stick it to my Dad though.

CK: Would you say you have a fascination with kit history?

PA: Definitely! Especially with the U.S. National Teams, since I’ve watched them the longest and seen many different iterations of their kit. I didn’t get to watch it, but the Arsenal shirts from the 1990’s and early 2000’s are something to behold as well. Absolute classics.

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CK: Do you have a specific era that you like most when it comes to kits?

PA: I have a bias to the early 2000’s for sure because that’s when I began watching football. But the kits are amazing! USA had some great ones, their shirt from the 2006 World Cup with the vertical red and blue stripe is simple but nice. And of course there’s one of my personal favourites, the “Where’s Waldo” kit! (2012 Home)

CK: What's your favourite kit in your personal collection?

PA: A 2016 Mix Diskerud kit I got from a Copa America match I went to in Philly that year. USA beat Paraguay and I was convinced Mix was the future of the team! I was wrong, but it still is my favorite kit that I own!

CK: If you had to pick your top 3 football shirts of all time, what would they be?

PA: That’s such a tough question! The 1994 USA kit has to be number one, just for looks. Second, I’d go with the Seattle Sounders kit from 2021 that they did as a tribute to Jimi Hendrix. The design with the purple, gold, and black colors is so cool! For number 3, I have to choose a Red Bulls kit because they’re my favourite club, right? I’ll go with the kit from 2010, it’s a nice kit but iconic since it was Henry’s first season at the club!

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CK: If you could take one football shirt with you to a desert island, what would it be?

PA: Real Madrid’s. They have the most supporters in the world I’m pretty sure, so the chances of someone finding me being a Real supporter would be high then! And of course I’d want them to be more inclined to help me get off the island, right? Can’t miss the next match!

CK: If people want to check out more of your work, where can people find it?

PA: @Philthegooner on TikTok is the best place! That’s where I post all my football content. I travel quite a bit for sports and like to document my travels on Instagram. And if you’re on Twitter, my handle is @freerephills.

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