Black and Red United can confirm Steve Goff’s reporting that Paul Arriola, USMNT and Tijuana midfielder, is on his way to D.C. to sign with D.C. United. He will arrive in D.C. shortly to have his medical evaluation, and then will sign immediately thereafter. We can also confirm that the transfer fee D.C. United will be paying to Xolos will be the largest in the team’s history, and that his salary will be the largest in the team’s recent memory.
Arriola is a current US men’s national team starter on the right wing, and has been an underrated reason for their success at the Gold Cup. The team has also now addressed both wings, with Arriola and Zoltan Stieber seemingly read to lock down the outside midfield for the rest of this year and into the new stadium as well.
At 22, Arriola is another member of the team’s youth movement, along with Bruno Miranda and likely signing Russel Canouse. Along with Luciano Acosta and Ian Harkes central, the midfield has gotten a whole lot younger and a whole let better.
Update: Eugene Rupinski, who writes about the Philadelphia Union at Brotherly Game and about LigaMX and FMF State of Mind, has this to say about Arriola’s play in Mexico:
Paul Arriola has been Xolos' starting right wing for the last two seasons for Tijuana, first in Miguel Herrera's 3-5-2 where he paired brilliantly with false nine Aviles Hurtado and then again this year in Eduardo Coudet's 4-2-2-2. He likes to play along the touch line and cut in toward the 18, and has the technical ability to beat all but the best left backs and the strength to hold off most center backs. He works well both alone in space and in a group and should instantly make D.C. United better with his play.