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Major League Soccer unveiled a newly redesigned MLS Cup trophy, created by Tiffany & Company and named for American soccer stalwart Philip F. Anschutz

“We are in the sports business,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber began on a chilly Wednesday morning in midtown Manhattan. “But it is nice to have breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Like rock concerts on the morning “news” shows, jokes are tough at 8:30AM, but Garber knew that, continuing, “I think I’m the tenth person to use that joke this morning, so I didn’t expect much of a giggle.”

Details and photos of the trophy after the jump…

Um, yes, I’d like to trade my glass case of jewelry for what is in box #1.

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Tiffany first designed a trophy in the mid-1800’s, according to the company. It was Robert Kraft’s idea to name the new trophy after Anschutz, “the heart and soul of American soccer,” Garber said. The new Anschutz trophy, bestowed with blessing from Alan I. Rothenberg, who the previous MLS Cup trophy was named for, is sterling silver and vermilion, 24” tall with a 4 5/8” base. Symbolism in the design includes the 22 players that participate in a soccer match, represented by handles that include 11 facets on the front and back. A gold star represents the championship club. The bottom features a map of North America, with a star identifying the location of each MLS market.

From concerts to NYC Green Markets, not to mention Red Bull games, I will freely admit to an aversion to crowds. This was the best press conference I have ever attended, and I didn’t even partake in the free food.

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The Sartorialist would say something like, Greg Lalas shows Don Garber how to wear a suit. I will just say that these are two of the more powerful men in their respective American soccer worlds, media and business. (Alexi aint got nothin on Greg.)

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banner image of Jeff Agoos, who has held more MLS trophies than anyone, ever.