Forgive what must be a beginner's question, but why do the players' jersey numbers change for different competitions. As an example, Claudio Reyna always wore #10, but now Donovan wears it. Also, you have players who are relatively new to the team (Dempsey) wearing low numbers that probably should have been taken already by incumbents.
Plenty of exceptions but, keeper - #1, forwards - low numbers, mids - middle numbers, backs - higher numbers, center-mid 'quarterback/playmaker' #10. Some of the above mentioned exceptions occur with new players and what numbers are available a 'new' forward could get a 20s or even 30s number by what is not taken already. Also multiple keepers can't all be #1 so you can see lucky 13, 99 or other numbers there.
Many of the old traditional teams assign the numbers according to the starters. For example, England generally does this. So if a guy is starting in one game, you'll see him have one of the first 11 numbers, but then the next game, he'll have a different number. On clubs, obviously, you can't do that game by game. Ajax has generally assigned the numbers at the beginning of the season to the 11 expected starters. In the US, it's always been much more of a players choice. I am sure that they pick their numbers for a given competition in order of seniority. So when Reyna is around, he picks before Donovan - Reyna gets 10 and Donovan takes 21. Actually Dom, you have it backwards... The old traditional assignment of numbers was like this... -------- 1 ------- 2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 -------- 6 ------- 7 -------------- 8 ------- 10 ------- --- 9 ----- 11 --- The 10 used to be the "center forward", but that kind of became the Attacking mid in more modern formations as the "center forward" became withdrawn.
historically, the numbers started from the back - so, goalie was 1, defenders were 2, 3, and so on, mids were next, and forwards next through 11. so, the starters would be players 1-11, with the subs after that. the pattern doesn't always hold completely, as 10 is still most often worn by the playmaker even if he isn't a forward, but the 11 is almost always the "pure" striker, but beyond that it is largely a free-for-all. as dempsey is not a defender, it is somewhat odd that he wears #2, but i guess that was what was left for him when it came his turn to pick. the additional issue that arises with the national team is that there is a rotating roster for various games and tournaments. as a result, numbers get reassigned so that a full roster of 23 players is number 1 to 23, not 1 to 45 with several gaps for players who aren't there. so, while reyna might wear #10 when he is in camp (given his seniority), donovan gets to wear it when reyna isn't there. and, while most starting goalies opt for #1, keller seems to always wear #18. so, there is some history, and then players are probably allowed to pick there numbers, based either on seniority or status on the team. and, some players, who maybe had higher numbers when they first joined the team, have opted to keep them rather than get a new number.
Yep. Argentina begged FIFA before WC2002 to be allowed to use #24 instead of #10. FIFA told them to use #10 or only bring 22 players. In the end, Ariel Ortega wore the jersey: http://2002.fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/02/en/t/t/pl/78384/index.html A February 17, 2002 article referenced the retirement of the number "Meanwhile, Juan Román Riquelme filled in as playmaker, wearing the No. 8 shirt rather than the traditional No. 10, which has been retired in honour of Diego Maradona." ---- To be honest, while I like retired numbers in baseball - I like the fact that numbers aren't retired in soccer.