The New York Red Bulls' footwear will be more colorful than ever during warmups ahead of Saturday's match against Toronto FC (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+), when Red Bulls players will take the pitch in custom-painted boots they helped design with local pediatric cancer patients.
Over the summer, these patients and their families visited the Red Bulls' training facility, where they were paired up with an individual player whose boots they'd design together. Once they were finalized, the footwear was handed over to local artist Jessi Kavana, who hand painted each pair.
The initiative seeks to raise awareness for Tackle Kids Cancer, a fundraising and awareness program from the Children's Cancer Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health.
In addition to the hand-painted boots, player escorts for both teams will be pediatric cancer patients, and doctors and nurses from Hackensack Meridian Health will hold the on-field banners during the national anthems.
From Tyler Adams' "Stranger Things"-inspired pair to the extra colorful cleats of Luis Robles, check out some of the custom-painted boots for a good cause below.
Tyler Adams will have a @Stranger_Things & @eggo boot, as well as π΅ & π©!#TackleKidsCancer | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/mbzHA9z3eR
β New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 20, 2018
Bradley Wright-Phillips will feature Pikachu from @Pokemon! #TackleKidsCancer | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/ekarobhgU6
β New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 20, 2018
Luis Robles will have sprinkles and lots of color on his boots!#TackleKidsCancer | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/mTkaLKrBRN
β New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 20, 2018
Aaron Long's boots feature @cartoonnetwork shows Regular Show and We Bare Bears!#TackleKidsCancer | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/pnRLuc6IVM
β New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 20, 2018
"Red Bulls Tackle Kids Cancer" will feature prominently on Kemar Lawrence's boots#TackleKidsCancer | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/OnlhCgkWKW
β New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 20, 2018
Tim Parker will have the @RedBull logo, as well as his number and the artist's, Matt's, number#TackleKidsCancer | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/XyZwB0i7fT
β New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 20, 2018
Alex Muyl will be wearing these boots, featuring Sophia's name in bright colors and some of her scribbles#TackleKidsCancer | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/SCrNwPH2xv
β New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 20, 2018
Sean Davis will have @SpongeBob, π and π¦ on his boots#TackleKidsCancer | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/zpTYv1gjmM
β New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 20, 2018
Aurelien Collin featured the quote "After every thunderstorm comes a rainbow."#TackleKidsCancer | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/r2sYwdSSJ6
β New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 20, 2018
Connor Lade's boots celebrate gymnastics and ice cream π¦#TackleKidsCancer | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/Dc21b9rZEJ
β New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 20, 2018
Derrick Etienne, Jr., will be wearing boots highlighting @sonic_hedgehog, Batman and Superman!#TackleKidsCancer | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/pYXFyj2eLY
β New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 20, 2018
Florian Valot's design features π and Sparky the πΆ#TackleKidsCancer | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/DsqMzn0cTS
β New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 20, 2018