- Position: Forward
- Date of Birth: 02/05/1995
- Pro Team: Swansea City
- Height: 5'6"
- Weight: 150
- Caps: 34
- Goals: 7
Paul Arriola is a product of the Southern California soccer scene, playing his youth soccer in the San Diego suburbs. With Club Tijuana forming across the border, Arriola had an option for professional soccer close to his San Diego home. He took it, joining Tijuana in 2013. Arriola holds joint citizenship, with his Mexico passport allowing him to play in Liga MX as a domestic player. In August, 2017 Arriola moved to DC United in MLS. He went on loan to Swansea City for the second-half of the 2020-21 season.
At international level, Arriola represented the United States at every age level. He was part of the U-20 World Cup squad in 2015. He debuted with the senior side in 2016. His first USMNT goal came in that debut, against Puerto Rico on May 22.
USMNT Highlights
2021: Started against Trinidad & Tobago on Jan 31 scoring twice and picking up an assist.
2020: Started the Feb 2 friendly against Costa Rica. Started against El Salvador on Dec 9 and scored.
2019: Subbed on against Panama on Jan 27 and Costa Rica on Feb 2. Started against Ecuador on Mar 21 and Mar 26. Started against Jamaica on Jun 5. Named to the Gold Cup roster. Started against Venezuela on Jun 9. Started against Guyana on Jun 18 and scored. Started against Trinidad and Tobago on Jun 22 and scored. Started against Curacao on Jun 30 and Jamaica on Jul 3. Started against Mexico in the 2019 Gold Cup final. Subbed on against Cuba in the Nations League on Oct 11, Canada on Oct 15, and Canada on Nov 15. Started against Cuba on Nov 19.
2018: Subbed on against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Jan 28. Started against Brazil on Sep 7.
2017: Part of the Gold Cup squad. Stared the final against Jamaica on Jul 26. Subbed on against Costa Rica in the Sep 1 World Cup qualifier and against Honduras on Sep 5. Started the World Cup qualifier against Panama on Oct 6.
2016: Won his first cap against Puerto Rico on May 22 and scored. Scored against Trinidad & Tobago in a World Cup qualifier on Sep 6 and against Trinidad & Tobago on Oct 10.
Professional Highlights
2021: Joined Swansea City on loan in the Championship in Jan.
2020: Returned from injury with DC, missing the playoffs.
2019: Another season making the playoffs with United, finishing 4th and exiting in the first round.
2018: Made the playoffs with DC.
2017: Finished 1st in the Clausura, losing to Tigres in the semifinals. Started the Apertura season with Tijuana before transferring to DC United on Aug 9, missing the playoffs.
2016: Finished 1st in the Apertura regular season with Tijuana, losing to Leon in the quarterfinals. Finished 14th in the Clausura.
2015: Finished 17th in the Apertura. Finished 11th in the Clausura.
2014: Finished 11th in the Apertura. Finished 7th in the Clausura, exiting the playoffs in the quarterfinals.
2013: Joined Tijuana in Liga MX. Played in the CONCACAF Champions League. Finished 10th in the Apertura.
Youth Soccer: Played for Arsenal youth soccer in Southern California, joining the LA Galaxy academy. Opted to sign with Tijuana in Liga MX.
