U.S. Men's National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter has called up D.C. United forward, Paul Arriola for the second time this year as he announces his MNT pool for the upcoming friendlies. The USMNT technical staff will continue the evaluation process of the MNT pool in the second camp as 24 players have been called to gather beginning March 17, 2019, in Orlando.
In his last USMNT call-up against Costa Rica on February 2, 2019, Arriola played 90 minutes and scored a goal in the 86th minute of the match to secure a 2-0 win. Arriola also featured as a 75th-minute substitute in the 3-0 win against Panama on January 28. Since making his debut in the 3-1 win against Puerto Rico on May 22, 2016, Arriola has made 19 appearances for the Red, White and Blue; scoring three goals and recording two assists.
Arriola has started in both games for D.C. United (1-0-1) this season against Atlanta United (2-0 win) and New York City FC (0-0 draw). He scored the first goal of the season for the Black-and-Red in first-half stoppage time (45’+1’) against Atlanta on March 3 in the MLS Regular Season opener. In 2019, Arriola has produced five shots (2 SOG) in 180 minutes of play and created four chances for D.C. United.
The team building process takes its next steps with challenges against Ecuador on March 21, 2019, at Orlando City Stadium, then five days later against defending South American champion Chile on March 26, 2019, at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. Both matches will be shown live at 8 PM ET on ESPN2, UniMas, and UDN.
“Our goal is to make progress. Building on the themes of last camp, building on the style of play of last camp, but also now evaluating a new group of players,” Berhalter said. “I think we made progress in the first camp and I think it’s now asking if we can take it to another level. When we are done with this camp, it’s really important that we have a good idea of our strongest group of players heading into the Gold Cup.”
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals):
GOALKEEPERS (3):
Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge, BEL; 3/0), Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 6/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 8/0)
DEFENDERS (8):
John Brooks (Wolfsburg, GER; 36/3), Omar Gonzalez (Atlas, MEX; 48/3), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes; 2/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 4/0), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact; 2/0), Matt Miazga (Reading, ENG; 11/1), Tim Ream (Fulham, ENG; 26/1), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United, ENG; 57/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7):
Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig, GER; 9/1), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC, CAN; 143/17), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 7/2), Weston McKennie (Schalke, GER; 7/1), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund, GER; 23/9), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 7/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 13/0)
FORWARDS (6): Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 19/3)
, Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake; 2/0), Jonathan Lewis (New York City FC; 2/0), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 25/5), Christian Ramirez (LAFC; 2/1), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC; 42/6)
Fourteen players on the roster were part of the month-long January camp, steeping themselves in the team culture and style of play. With a shorter window and two challenging opponents, familiarity equals opportunity when it comes to building on the foundation established against Panama and Costa Rica.
