Numbers are something that every looks at in sports. Batting fourth in a baseball lineup indicates you're a power hitter, wearing the No. 23 jersey number in basketball means you're compared to Michael Jordan. In soccer, the No. 10 jersey is a source of pride and brings expectations. Those expectations will be put onto Philadelphia Union's newest Designated Player as Jamiro Monteiro arrived in Clearwater, Florida with the No. 10 kit.
"I joked with him when he got off the plane last night that that number is a heavier shirt," Head Coach Jim Curtin said during his weekly press conference with media. "He wants that and does it with a smile on his face and I was joking with him but we both know in the back of our minds we want to take the next step forward. Jamiro has the quality to play in any league in the world and we’re happy that he chose to stay in Philadelphia."
Monteiro becomes the eighth player in Union history to wear No. 10 and the 2020 season will be the fifth consecutive season that a different player dons that number. Only Danny Mwanga (2010-12) and Cristian Maidana (2014-15) spent multiple seasons as the Union's 10. The complete list can be seen below.
- Jamiro Monteiro (2020)
- Marco Fabián (2019)
- Borek Dockal (2018)
- Roland Alberg (2017)
- Tranquilo Barnetta (2016)
- Cristian Maidana (2014-15)
- Roger Torres (2013)
- Danny Mwanga (2010-12)
