Every player on the Red Bulls receives 30 jerseys from the team at the beginning of the year—15 in their home white and 15 in road blue. Even with the wear and tear inflicted by competition, laundry and handsy defenders, it should be more than enough to get through a 34-game regular season.

But Thierry Henry's original 30 never make it to game 34. By taking part in one of soccer's lasting rituals— the casual on-field exchange of jerseys after the final whistle—he trades away so many that he has to buy extras from the team...