2019 New York City FC vs DC United

Paul Arriola's Improvement In Front Of Goal Gives DC United An Extra Threat

Paul Arriola's Improvement In Front Of Goal Gives DC United An Extra Threat

Paul Arriola's goal against Atlanta United has continued his emergence as a legitimate scoring threat from the wing for D.C. United.

Mar 7, 2019 by Wesley Davidson
Paul Arriola's Improvement In Front Of Goal Gives DC United An Extra Threat

Paul Arriola’s field day against Atlanta United is the latest chapter in what has been the winger's growing production in front of goal. While Bill Hamid took home Man of the Match honors on Sunday with a collection of impressive saves en route to the shutout, Arriola could just have easily earned the honor. The 24-year-old was a nightmare for the Five Stripes’ back line throughout the 90 minutes, and he put D.C. United ahead on the stroke of halftime.



Arriola started the year in Gregg Berhalter’s first USMNT camp in January and earned plenty of praise for his two appearances. Starting in the second game against Costa Rica, Arriola was able to create chances for teammates playing on the left side of midfield, before moving to the right side and netting his third international goal late in the game. Carrying that same form into D.C.’s preseason proved no issue as he found the back of the net once again against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Arriola’s work rate and quality in attack garnered attention during his time at Tijuana, which led to his first international cap under Jurgen Klinsmann in 2016. Since arriving in the District, Arriola has made it a priority to improve his game with more output on the stat sheet. At nine goals since joining D.C. in the summer of 2017, Arriola has already doubled his goal tally at Tijuana in less than half the appearances.

Coach Ben Olsen had plenty of praise for his young attacker’s attention to increasing his numbers after the win against Atlanta.

“You guys know how I feel about Paul," Olsen said on Sunday when asked about Arriola's excellent performance. "When we first got Paul, it was Paul is selfless and he works hard, tactically he’s sound, technically he’s good, he is just lacking that final product, and putting numbers up.

“You saw last year that changed, and he’s off to a good start in that category so far.”

After Tuesday's practice, Arriola spoke to reporters and echoed his manager’s sentiments on adding the final product to his game.

“It’s extremely important. It’s something that I’ve always talked about that I’ve lacked and that I needed to improve,” said the 24-year-old. “The one thing that has helped me is calming down in the final third. I’m energetic, I’m all over the place, and for me to calm down and find myself with a little more time than I think I have, it’s really helped me.

D.C. should have no trouble in finding the back of the net this year, and Arriola was quick to point out that having quality teammates helps in not over-complicating his decision making. Sometimes, simply getting the ball into dangerous positions and watching them do the rest is a perk of Arriola’s role.

“My job, when I get down the line, is to put the ball in, and we have teammates to finish them,” he added. “Some of the time, the assists are completely on them. It’s a simple pass to them that they make the most out of.”

MLS defenses already have their work cut out in trying to contain the Rooney-Acosta partnership. An in-form Arriola producing goals and assists makes this side that much harder to face in what could be a special year for the Black-and-Red.

“It’s a great start for me with a goal, and building on my goal for the national team. But I’m not satisfied yet with what I feel I have to accomplish. I have a lot more to accomplish, and the team feels the same way.”