It seems as though just yesterday I were in your shoes, or cleats to be precise. I remember dreading the long, hot, upcoming week of preseason and all that comes with it. The timed mile run, the full field zaps, and the 80 degree weather. That week was one of the worst weeks that I can remember. Looking back now, I wish I wouldn't have wished it all away.

In a few weeks you'll be putting on your shin guards and lacing up your cleats. You'll have butterflies in your stomach as you prepare for the first scrimmage of the season, and the upcoming games that will take place and you'll compete in. You'll be putting on a jersey that you picked out, hopefully getting the number you want if you don't have seniority yet. But somewhere out there, you're putting on my jersey and that was once my number. It really wasn't my jersey to claim, because it wasn't mine to begin with. At the time I was so unknowing to how quickly the time would come when I had to give it away. I didn't know the time that I spent in that jersey would be gone so quickly. I wish would have cherished that time that I spent in it more than I did.

So to whoever has that jersey that I shared so many laughs, smiles, cuts, sweat drops and grass stain with, here is what I want you to do. Make memories in that jersey. Run hard in that jersey. Make that number one to be known and one that sticks out from all the others. Make it one that all the other teams don't want to see coming. Make that number a commitment and stick to it. Don't give up in that jersey. Be the person in that jersey that future soccer players want to aspire to be. Make them want to wear that jersey. If I were able to go back and put more in that jersey than I did at the time, I would.

I'm sure I'm not speaking for just myself, I'm sure that I'm speaking for all of my previous soccer teammates and opponents that I have faced along the way. And I'm sure someday, in a couple years or maybe next year at this time, you'll be thinking the same exact thing. You'll be reminiscing through old pictures or thinking on old times and you'll wonder just who is wearing your jersey or your number now. You'll want that person to make you proud, because at one point in time you were proud to be in that jersey.

I shared my share of hard work and dedication in that jersey with my number. Now it's your turn. Make this season, and every season you have left a memorable one, because it will be gone before you know it.

So whoever is out there, wearing my number, make me proud.