“That position on the field creates the majority of the excitement, whether it’s through the passing or the running or the scoring,” says Loyal SC manager Landon Donovan. “It’s a legendary number that just grows and grows and grows and that’s why you see the best players in the world wear it.” Today the 10 has moved beyond being position-specific. It’s a number that’s earned by the greatest or most important player on a club. In their inaugural year, San Diego Loyal SC didn’t have anyone wear 10, and that was by design. “I wanted to take my time, very intentionally, to make sure the right person was wearing it at the right time,” says Donovan.