Topps, the renowned sports card company, is shaking up the Major League Soccer (MLS) scene with its innovative debut patch card program. Following the success of featuring game-worn debut patches in Major League Baseball, Topps is now bringing this unique concept to MLS for the 2024 season.
This groundbreaking program aims to honor MLS rookies by incorporating special debut patches into their jerseys for their first official match. These exclusive patches will then be collected, transformed, and combined with player autographs to create one-of-a-kind rookie cards for Topps’ upcoming MLS product releases.
To kickstart the process, Topps will send the MLS Debut patches to team equipment managers, who will carefully affix them to the jerseys of first-year players using adhesive. Once the player makes their debut on the field, these patches will be delicately removed and sent back to Topps headquarters, where they will be skillfully crafted into highly collectible cards for fans and collectors alike.
Players who make their MLS debut by April 1 will have the honor of being featured in the 2024 Topps MLS product. Meanwhile, those debuting after this date will have their patches reserved for the following year’s series. This strategic timing ensures that new talents are promptly recognized and celebrated through these special edition cards within the Topps collection.
As the MLS season kicks off with much anticipation, fans can expect exciting matches such as the opening night showdown between Inter Miami CF and Real Salt Lake. While the debut patch program may not showcase last season’s addition of global sensation Lionel Messi, it will shine a spotlight on this year’s notable newcomers, including the likes of Luis Suarez, known for his stints at Liverpool and Barcelona, and Hugo Lloris, the former Tottenham goalkeeper.
Having already seen success in the realm of Major League Baseball, with several of the 91 MLB Debut patches from the 2023 Topps Chrome Update packages becoming sought-after items on eBay, the expansion of this program to MLS is not only a treat for soccer enthusiasts but also a testament to Topps’ commitment to innovation in the sports memorabilia market.
