Paul Arriola

Paul Arriola
Personal information
Full namePaul Joseph Arriola Hendricks
Date of birthFebruary 5, 1995
Place of birthChula Vista, California, United States
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Playing positionForward
Club information
Current team
Tijuana
Number20
Youth career
2010–2011IMG Soccer Academy
2011–2012Arsenal FC (California)
2012–2013LA Galaxy
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2013–Tijuana24(1)
National team‡
2010–2011United States U176(0)
2012United States U185(1)
2014–United States U206(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23 February 2015.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of December 19, 2014

Paul Joseph Arriola Hendricks (born February 5, 1995) is an American soccer player who currently plays for Tijuana in the Mexican Primera División.

Early life

Arriola was born in Chula Vista, California, a suburb of San Diego. He is an American of Mexican descent as his great grandparents immigrated to the United States from Mexico.[1] He attended Mater Dei Catholic High School in Chula Vista.

Career

Youth

Arriola spent years with Arsenal FC based in Temecula, California, a club that has produced several successful players including Carlos Bocanegra and Hector Jiménez, before joining the academy of the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2013.[2]

Professional

In December 2012, Arriola was invited to train with Tijuana, after having previously trialed with the club.[3] Following the 2012 season and despite being offered a professional contract by the Galaxy, Arriola opted to sign for Club Tijuana of Liga MX, the highest level of soccer in Mexico. Arriola was part of a string of American-born players to join the Xolos including Edgar Castillo, Herculez Gomez, Joe Corona, and Greg Garza. The Galaxy listed Tijuana's proximity to Arriola's hometown of San Diego, 18 miles, as one factor contributing to his decision to opt for Tijuana over the Galaxy.[4] About his decision, Arriola himself stated, "“I felt that Xolos was the place for me. I love the club, it's my home team and the people down there are wonderful.” The decision allowed Arriola to live on the United States side of the border with his family but cross it for training and matches.[1]

Arriola made his debut for the club in a preseason friendly against Club América at Petco Park in San Diego on July 6, 2013. In the 54th minute, Arriola scored to make the score 5-0 in an eventual 5-2 victory for Tijuana.[5] On July 19, 2013 Arriola made his professional league debut in a 3-3 draw with Club Atlas to open the 2013-14 Liga MX season. Arriola was a second-half substitute and assisted on Darío Benedetto's goal only four minutes after entering the match.[6] Just a few days later, Arriola scored his second professional goal in CONCACAF Champions League against C.D. Victoria.

International

Arriola has been part of the United States youth national team set ups and was part of the squad for the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship but did not appear in any matches because of an injury. The United States went on to win the tournament. He made three starts in four matches at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.[7] In 2013, Arriola joined the United States U18 squad for a trip to Europe for friendlies against France and Uruquay.[8] Despite playing for the youth teams of the United States, Arriola applied for Mexican citizenship which would allow him to play as a domestic player in Liga MX rather than occupying one of the five foreign player spots.[1]

Arriola made the United States U20 squad at the 2014 Dallas Cup and 2014 NTC Invitational.[9][10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Marshall, Tom. "American Exports: Paul Arriola explains difficult decision to choose Club Tijuana over LA Galaxy". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  2. ↑ Serrano, Adam. "Youth star Arriola makes Galaxy Development Academy debut". Los Angeles Galaxy. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  3. ↑ Marshall, Tom. "Galaxy Academy forward Arriola training at Club Tijuana". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  4. ↑ Firchau, Nick. "Paul Arriola leaving for Tijuana disappointing, but no real surprise for LA Galaxy". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  5. ↑ Marshall, Tom. "American Exports: Paul Arriola nets for Club Tijuana in San Diego Clasico vs. Club America". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  6. ↑ Marshall, Tom. "American Exports: Ex-LA Galaxy academy player Paul Arriola registers assist in Club Tijuana debut". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Paul Arriola Profile". US Soccer. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  8. ↑ Clark, Travis. "Despite results, U18 MNT happy with progress". Top Drawer Soccer. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  9. ↑ "U-20 MNT Into Dallas Cup Semifinals". USSF. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Ramos Names U-20 MNT Roster for NTC Invitational". USSF. Retrieved July 30, 2014.

External links