While kids grow up with dreams of having their last name on the back of a jersey, the number that accompanies it often plays equally as significant of a role to players and fans alike. After the conclusion of 2016, 2017 offers fans a slightly altered variation of player numbers from last season.
Luciano Acosta stormed onto the scene for the Black-and-Red and made a name for himself as a nifty midfielder with a natural talent for beating defenders on the dribble and carving out opportunities for teammates. After putting pen to paper on a long-term deal with United, Acosta’s creative prowess was rewarded with a new number, the coveted number 10. The number is often reserved for an individual who has the ability to change games with a crafty run, accurate pass or a cheeky attempt on goal, all qualities that Acosta has become known for after a year in MLS. A much more rounded midfielder a year on from his debut season, Acosta will look to take on a more prominent role controlling play in the Black-and-Red midfield.
With Acosta leaving behind the number 11, the Argentine maestro passed the baton on to United’s new forward and MLS veteran Sebastien Le Toux, who also wore the number for the Philadelphia Union in 2013 and 2014. In 61 appearances wearing the number 11, the Frenchman scored 15 goals and recorded 19 assists for the Union, a return of just better than a goal or an assist every two games. Fans can rest easy knowing that Le Toux is more than capable of conjuring up magic and scoring goals with an 11 on his back.
Excitement is buzzing around newly signed Homegrown product Ian Harkes, the 2016 MAC Hermann winner who has chosen the number 23. The talented midfielder earned national recognition when he wore number 16 throughout his career at Wake Forest, but with the number already residing with forward Patrick Mullins, Harkes will look to make a name for himself amongst United fans with a number not worn since Perry Kitchen patrolled the midfield.
While fans will be quick to recognize the change of number in attacking personnel, there has also been a numerical shift in the goalkeeper position. Travis Worra is coming off an impressive 2016 season where he started 13 matches after Bill Hamid went down with an injury. The 23-year-old made a habit of coming up with big saves and earned himself four nominations for MLS Save of the Week in 2016. After a career year, Worra moves on from the unique number 48 to the more classic and traditional number one, a number that has deep roots in the goalkeeping world.
Back to the attacking side of the field, another new United acquisition will be wearing a familiar number. After Costa Rican forward Álvaro Saborío’s departure this offseason, the classic number nine will be worn by a younger compatriot in 2017. José Guillermo Ortiz, who completed a one-year loan deal last December and just recently joined the squad after competing with los Ticos in the Copa Centroamericana tournament in January. The 24-year-old made a splash in his first international match, scoring twice against Belize in the tournament hosted by Panama. A quick attacker with a nose for goal and the ability to play across a front line, Ortiz is a welcome addition to the Black-and-Red offense.
