What is that creative "number 10"? Who is a pure "number 9"? Where does the "number 8" go? What does he do differently than a "number 10"?
Numbers on the backs of Portland Timbers jerseys? Not in this case. MLSsoccer.com Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle breaks down the jargon of number to player positions. How does Timbers midfielder Will Johnson, a "number 8" box-to-box mid help the team? What makes Diego Valeri a classic "number 10"? Find out these answers and more with this great overview and then get set to watch it in action this weekend with the arrival of the Rose City Invitational presented by Parklane Mattress. Tickets start at $13.
Then for extra credit, take a look at some specific positions:
WATCH: More on the 'number 6'
WATCH:An expanded explanation on the 'number 8' with Will Johnson as an example
WATCH:More on the 'number 9'
WATCH:More on the 'number 10'
WATCH: Young playmakers in MLS with Darlington Nagbe as an example
