The Dallas Sidekicks, with the help of a number of the team's iconic figures, retired the number of one of its most significant contributors Saturday night at halftime of their game against the Tacoma Stars. In 1991, Nick Stavrou joined the Dallas Sidekicks and he was an integral part of the team for over a decade as a player and then many years as a coach.

Fittingly, then, the Dallas Sidekicks' Number 23, only ever worn by Stavrou, was retired by the team and will be raised to the rafters to join Gordon Jago, Tatu, Kevin Smith, Mike Powers, Doc Lawson, Krys Sobieski, Wes McLeod, and David Doyle.

It was an honor that his fellow legends agreed was well earned.

Gordon Jago signs autographs at the Dallas Sidekicks game. (Michael Lark / Dallas Sidekicks)

"I am delighted to see his jersey be retired tonight," said Jago, who is most well known for his time as the coach of the Sidekicks during their heyday, as well as the driving force behind the Dallas Cup. "Nick is not only an outstanding soccer player, he has developed into a very fine coach, and he is a very good person."

Many of his former teammates took the time to extol the virtues of the current head coach for the Fort Worth Vaqueros.

"Nick was a top professional, every practice, every game," said Powers. "He has a great soccer brain. I loved playing with him as a teammate."

Another theme that became obvious was Stavrou's willingness to put the team first, even on a night in his honor.

"Nick was a very skillful player who wasn't given the recognition he should have been," Jago said. "He is one of those players who was always there when needed. You knew when you put him out on the field what you were going to get each and every game."

As for the honoree himself, the midfield and defensive stalwart was able to put the night in perspective.

"I played every minute of my professional career for the Sidekicks," Stavrou said. "It's nice to be recognized even though it's always team honors."

At halftime, Stavrou spoke about maybe not being as deserving as those who had preceded him into the rafters, but the stats and his teammates tell a different story.

Kevin Smith, who has worked with Stavrou as a coach at the youth level, producing professional players like the Sidekicks' Cameron Brown when all three were with the Solar Soccer Club, said his former teammate and fellow coach is always putting the team first.

"I was shaking my head as he was saying that," said the current Dallas Texans Development Academy coach. "He is so humble. He always downplays how he is."

Nick Stavrou (23) of the Dallas Sidekicks brings the ball up the field against the Rockford Rampage at the Allen Event Center on Saturday, February 9, 2013 in Allen, Texas. (Cooper Neill/The Dallas Morning News) 02132013xALDIA 02242013xSPORTS 11022013xSPORTS (Cooper Neill / Staff Photographer)

And in many places you look in the Dallas Sidekicks' records, you see highlights of Stavrou's contribution. The Cleveland State alumnus was fourth in games played, only behind Tatu, Powers, and Smith; third in goals behind Tatu and Doyle; fourth in assists behind Tatu, Smith, and Doyle and fifth in blocks behind Powers, McLeod, Smith, and Doyle. Not bad for the eighth player to have his number retired by the Sidekicks.

Beyond being humble, Smith also spoke to Stavrou's professionalism.

"The ultimate team player," Smith said. "He'll do anything for the team. He will run through a brick wall, come back and do it all over again."

It was clear the presence of his fellow Sidekicks meant a lot to the England native.

"Obviously it's a special occasion," Stavrou said. "I am honored to be chosen to be up there with all those guys. Having a lot of them here makes it even more special."

David Doyle, who roomed with Stavrou for over a decade, said anyone who played or coached with Stavrou would consider him a model professional.

"I don't think he ever got the credit he deserved," the Flower Mound High School boys' soccer coach said. "In my eyes, he was the best player we had because he worked both ways. He made you better by how he played."

Nick Stavrou holds up a bobble-head of himself. (Michael Lark / Dallas Sidekicks)

While certainly not the only person to bring up the subject, Tatu also spoke of how much he appreciated working with Stavrou as a coach as the two worked together when Tatu coached the team.

"He was excellent (as a coach)," the franchise leader in goals said. "When I was the bad guy, he was the good guy. I am more of an offensive kind of guy. He understood the defensive part. It was a perfect combination."

"I am glad God put him in my way. I learned a lot from him also."

Tatu, echoing Smith, also said Stavrou's strengths as a player showed great leadership.

"It's fun to play with a guy like that because Nick always played hard," Tatu said. "Everyone felt guilty if you're not playing hard. He was a perfect teammate to have."

The one thing that was consistently said over the course of the evening was some variation on one simple word: deserving.

"I am glad they are finally able to get his number up there," Powers said. "Well deserved."

Smith said, "He is deserving of this honor."

Doyle's version was, "It's long overdue."

Tatu did not hesitate to echo what the other Sidekick legends had said, and tied it all together, finishing with the phrase on everyone's mind.

"Each one of us up there did something special and made a difference for the Sidekicks," the Brazilian said. "It's well deserved."

The evening was a great example of that contribution, with many of those same legends participating in a pre-game autograph session for the fans, and then standing with the only No. 23 to play for the Sidekicks as his number was retired.