2016 Topps MLS Major League Soccer Cards

Product Review

2016 Topps MLS Soccer Product Review

Reviewed by Trey Treutel

Good: All hits are numbered, many of the biggest international stars are included in the autograph checklist, nice patches in jumbo relics.

Bad: Base design is a little too busy, big decrease in hits from last year, sticker autographs.

The Bottom Line: On paper, the changes largely skew positive as all hit print runs are known and the signers list sees some bigger MLS names. However, the flagship soccer set from Topps continues to shed guaranteed hits per box. Also, as the autographs are numbered, it is quite clear the top names are short prints in a sea of 350-count autographs. Even at the current price, it’s still hard to look to boxes as an appealing collecting option.

Card Design: 2.5/5.0

For some reason, the main Topps MLS design is where experimentation takes place. Maybe I am too traditional, but the flagship set should keeps things relatively simple, especially since there are other MLS releases which offer bold designs (APEX). In addition to the very thin stock, the design is just not my preference. While it is still a little much, I am largely okay with the team logo banner at the bottom. The real issue for me is the text box on a diagonal in the center of the image. There is also the odd, faint background design. For me, it seems the attempt is to be fresh and exciting but ultimately comes across as busy and disappointing.

As with all sets, the hard part for manufacturers is presenting a design that is not boring but also does not offend the stylistic preferences of individual collectors. I completely understand that this is no small task since everyone is a little (or a lot) different when it comes to what they are looking for in a release. I assume there are plenty who like the 2016 Topps MLS base design but I am not among them.

Outside of the base, there is really not a ton of variety. Autographs add stickers to the main design. Inserts largely follow the loudness of the base and several look like they should just be subsets versus inserts. I did enjoy the Rooted Rivalries insert, especially the layout and images. Perhaps they would have looked even better without so many background colors to give more attention to the stadium design.

Another positive is the Jumbo Relics. In addition to the obvious appeal of a larger swatch, it appears that many offer multi-color pieces or logo/letter relics.

The saturation of short prints is an issue in today’s hobby but I felt that this was one release where it worked. However, it is disappointing that a switch was made to roll the All-Star images that previously acted as the variations into their own insert and change the short prints to the generic image difference with no theme. This year they are more plentiful, less memorable and add little.

Checklist: 3.75/5.0

While design was an issue for me, the checklist is where Topps MLS continues to make noticeable strides. Signers this year include David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard, Kaka, and Sebastian Giovinco, along with many from the USMNT. Sure, most of these are short prints, but they are still a quality option that was not available in previous years..

Value: 2.5/5.0

Ultimately, the checklist helps more than the design hurts but the value still suffers from the lack of depth in the league and it will be some time before that ever changes. Even with several key names at the top, most of the subjects in the 59-card base autograph set are worth very little. Value is also hurt by the lower hit total. 2014 had three autographs and three relics. 2015 had two autographs, two relics and one autographed relic. 2016 drops that to just two autographs and one relic and the box price did not decrease all that much (around $80).

The Fun Factor: 3.0/5.0

For me, design carries a fair amount of weight, so this hurt the fun factor slightly. I really wanted to enjoy it, but I just feel that the only noticeable step forward was getting some of the bigger names in the autograph checklist. In regards to the specific box I opened, none of the guaranteed hits were great but it was very nice to see a David Villa printing plate pop up in a pack.

2016 Topps MLS Soccer Box Hit Gallery

The box used for this review was provided by Topps.

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