João Paulo won’t just be the Seattle Sounders’ newest Designated Player, he’ll also be their first No. 6 since Osvaldo Alonso left the team before the 2019 season. No one wore the No. 6 jersey last year and Alonso had been the only player to don that number during the Sounders MLS era. Federal Way native Cirian O’Brien wore the No. 6 for the Sounders during their final USL season in 2008.
João Paulo had worn the Nos. 5 and 17 jerseys in his last two seasons at Botafogo. The No. 6 jersey is traditionally worn by defensive midfielders, which may suggest how the Sounders intend to use the Brazilian.