Major League Soccer and adidas today revealed the newest Official Match Ball for the 2019 MLS season, the adidas NATIVO QUESTRA. Newly constructed with improved internal materials and tested by the world’s top players, this reimagined release of the NATIVO match ball pulls inspiration from the 1994 FIFA World Cup ball to commemorate the only time the global tournament was held in the U.S. before the 2026 tournament returns to American and Canadian soil.
An upgraded look from the Official Match Ball of seasons past, the NATIVO QUESTRA’s redesigned skin features a metallic prism effect and a detailed red, white and blue galaxy graphic within the panels. This design pays homage to the QUESTRA ’94 World Cup Match Ball, which featured a similar galaxy design to tie back to the stars on the adidas U.S. team kits worn in that tournament, while also celebrating the 25th anniversary of the iconic 1969 Apollo 11 mission. The 2019 Match Ball features a much more intricate galaxy inspired graphic as a way of celebrating the now-50th anniversary of that important mission, while tying together the beautiful game with U.S. history.
Incorporating some of the most innovative thermal-bonding technology in sports, the panel shape of the NATIVO QUESTRA matches that of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Telstar ’18 and provides smooth, even performance and zero water uptake. Improved carcass construction within the match ball gives players unmatched force distribution across the field and on goal.
The new ball will first be seen on-pitch from January 3-9 at the upcoming MLS adidas Player Combine in Orlando before being featured at the MLS SuperDraft in Chicago on Jan. 11, when adidas Soccer and MLS clubs celebrate their commitment to youth development. The ball will be seen again on-pitch in February during MLS preseason games, and throughout the 2019 MLS season.
