"Frantic work ethic.”
“Great in possession and scrappy on defense.”
“Impressive technical skills.”
The Black-and-Red coaching staff have used these phrases, among others, to describe midfielder Paul Arriola since he joined the club as a young DP in the summer of 2017. A feisty midfielder with a seemingly endless well of energy, Arriola has become a key cog in the Black-and-Red's rejuvenated attack. Now, recently surpassing his one-year mark with United, the midfielder has the numbers to justify the praise and solidify himself as one of the most talented young American attackers in the league.
With eight assists on the year, the 23-year-old is currently tied with the New York Red Bulls' Sean Davis for Americans with the most assists in MLS this season. Arriola's eight assists and four goals have been instrumental in the Black-and-Red’s recent run of good form, and his influential presence in the final third may garner the honor of wearing a different jersey this fall—the red, white and blue of the U.S. Men’s National Team.
"Career wise, this has been my best season," Arriola said, "and it's extremely important to keep going."
While Major League Soccer offers plenty of offensive firepower, from Josef Martinez, to Sebastian Giovinco, to Bradley Wright-Phillips, there are few Americans in the mix for most goals or assists in the league. With his eight assists and four goals in 18 starts, Arriola is relishing the opportunity to prove himself as one of the U.S.' most promising young midfielders while playing in his home country.
"There are not a lot of American attackers in the league, in the past few seasons a lot of teams have looked different ways for attackers, whether it's South Americans or older veterans coming in from different leagues," Arriola said. "It's good to be a young American and to be on a team that's created a lot of goals and created a lot of chances."
Lining up centrally or on the wing, Arriola has remained an energetic force for the Black-and-Red throughout the season. The midfielder can use his speed and sharp decision making on the ball to sustain the attack and generate scoring chances, or he can use his scrappiness to terrorize opponents with a high press, relying on his work rate and pace to cut off passing lanes, create turnovers, and start the counterattack. While at times it seems like Arriola is a frenetic force all over the pitch, the midfielder says his improved play has actually stemmed from an increased sense of calmness.
"It's been about calming down and being cleaner in the final third," Arriola said. "At times I can get a bit rushed as far as my thought process and my decision making in the final third go, so this year I think I've been able to get in good spots and really take my time, stay composed, and pick out my teammates."
Arriola has recorded at least one assist every month this season, and has scored some beauties along the way as well, including his sprawling header in Toronto and his brace against Vancouver in the inaugural match at Audi Field.
In addition to his work rate, Arriola has been praised for his versatility in shifting roles depending on the team's needs. The midfielder started the 2018 season on the wing, then transitioned in to a central role, allowing him more freedom and space in the middle of the pitch. At times, Arriola has even dropped back to help the defense, playing as a pseudo-defender who can burst up the flank and spearhead the attack at the drop of a dime. And while the Californian entered the 2018 season with added pressure and expectations, he's taken his first full MLS season in stride, settling in to the team and his role within it, and in turn significantly upping his contribution rate from 2017.
"This year I felt was the right time to have the pressure on me, after having a full preseason with the team and having a good understanding of how we would go about things and what position I'd be in," Arriola said. "The one thing I've always talked about is being more productive in the final third. When you look back on a season, sometimes stats are important to reflect on and continue to push yourself. Last year I finished 11 games here with two assists and a goal, and now with four goals and eight assists this year, it’s a confidence booster for me to continue. Whether it’s as a center midfielder or out wide, it can be whatever as long as I’m helping the team and continuing to finish plays off. It’s only going to continue to help me grow and push, obviously not just for this season but for seasons to come."
Arriola has upped his production to show his influence with the Black-and-Red, and he will look to do the same with the U.S. Men's National Team in the coming months. With the U.S.' next competitive action not coming until June 2019 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the national team is in the midst of a transitional period of identifying the top young talents to drive the nation forward after missing out on the 2018 World Cup. Upcoming friendlies against high-profile opponents like Brazil (September 7), Mexico (September 11), and Colombia (October 11) will give interim manager Dave Sarachan a chance to test different players eager to represent their country, and Arriola hopes to be one of those young Americans receiving call-ups and an opportunity to prove himself as a key national team member moving forward.
Since making his senior team debut on May 22, 2016, against Puerto Rico, Arriola has accrued 16 caps with the Yanks, and was part of Bruce Arena's Gold Cup-winning squad in 2016, starting four matches including the final. In his first appearance, the midfielder assisted on a goal for forward Bobby Wood, then scored one of his own to complete a dream debut—his first of four goals for the U.S. Now, as Arriola helps lead a young D.C. United side in transition, and strives to also contribute to a new-look USMNT in transition, the Californian is focused on making the most of his opportunities with both the Black-and-Red and the Red, White and Blue.
"There aren't a lot of young Americans in attacks, so it's definitely something that I'm proud of, and I'll continue to work on it to help us push for a playoff spot. Hopefully I can continue my form for the club and also the national team."
