Soccer Jersey Number Dilemma

by Soccer Girl
(Springfield, Il)

Hi, I have been playing on a traveling soccer team for 4 years. A new girl from another division (who was not even in our soccer club the year before that) just made my team and has the same jersey number as mine. Our soccer club says its okay for two players to have the same jersey number.

I think that each player should have their own number because it is kind of confusing out on the field in the games.
Also, it kind of makes each girl feel special when she has her own number.

It makes me feel bad that I have to now share my number with someone else after all these years. I don't want to sound like a jerk but, I was on the team first and this girl came up to me and said "I'm number 12" kind of like now that she is here, I should find a new jersey number.

She also said that it is a "family number", but my sister had the same number as well. I did not say anything to her, I just smiled back, and I am on the quiet side. Do you think one of us should switch? If so, who? Thank you!

THE ANSWER

Hello soccer girl, first of all, I understand your feelings as I know that a jersey number is something special and personal. However, I want you to be honest and ask yourself the following question; will I play better with or without my number? The obvious answer is that it doesn’t matter what number you are wearing.

So, you have already proven that you are the smarter one as you didn’t fall into the trap of arguing with your teammate. If you listen to me, I would just pick a number that no one wants to wear. I do this all the time and I never care about the number on my back, instead I let my game speak for itself.

/Mirsad