Paul Arriola is unlikely to play a minute in the upcoming 2020 MLS season.
D.C. United confirmed Saturday that Arriola will undergo ACL reconstruction surgery on Monday. The playmaker suffered the injury back on Feb. 15th in a preseason match and is now expected to be out at least nine months.
D.C. United midfielder Paul Arriola will undergo anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery on Monday, Feb. 24 after tearing his ACL in a preseason match on Feb. 15. Team physician Dr. Chris Annunziata of @orthovirginia will perform the surgery.
— D.C. United (@dcunited) February 22, 2020
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Arriola has been one of MLS’ top wingers since arriving from Club Tijuana back in 2017. In 65 combined league appearances, Arriola has scored 14 goals and added 12 assists while continuing to be a regular inclusion with the U.S. Men’s National Team.
The 25-year-old has earned 33 caps for the USMNT since making his debut back in 2016. He’s scored five goals while also representing the team in World Cup qualification, the Concacaf Nations League, and Concacaf Gold Cup.
A midfielder by trade, Arriola’s versatility has also been used on the wing and at right back for club and country. He was expected to play a major role for Ben Olsen’s side this season following the offseason departures of Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta.
With Arriola out, Olsen will have to look towards the likes of Ola Kamara, Yamil Asad, Edison Flores, and Julian Gressel for production.
The Eastern Conference club opens the 2020 regular season at Audi Field on Feb. 29th against the Colorado Rapids.
Sigh! Yet another potential USMNT player out with injury. This is getting to the point of a statistical anamoly.
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Bradley, Arriola, Pulisic, Weah, Adams, Holmes, Lichaj, Miazga, Pomykal, and Steffan presently out and Brooks and Altidore with frequent injuries: While that is not anyone’s starting lineup, it is at least 10 players not available for play today (and we probably do not know about some MLS injuries since it is still preseason).
Of your list 2 shouldn’t even be mentioned with the USMNT at this point. Bradley & Lichaj have both been overtaken by the younger Generation of players.
Pomykal is expected back to full training this week. Had surgery in the offseason and should be back by opening day.
Pulisic, Weah, & Adams injuries are a concern, but all 3 should be back shortly. Steffen is a concern as he’s our # 1 keeper. Holmes & Miazga are fighting for spots on the US roster, and both seem to be injury prone.
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Instead of focusing on those currently out injured, think of the opportunity this represents for some young players to make a name for themselves and raise their profile within the USMNT. I’m hoping to see the following called up, as I don’t think they’ll be released by their clubs for the Olympic Qualifying tournament:
Reyna, Ledezma, Saucedo, Llanez, CCV/EPB, A. Robinson, & Horvath.
A. Robinson is out with a groin injury as well.
Its been reported that Llanez, Ledesma, Gloster and Mendez have already gotten a pre release for the Olympic Qualifiers. CCV hasnt been with U-23’s much and just started playing for Luton Town I don’t think he gets a release. Horvath hasn’t played a game in 2 months, if that, so there is no way he gets a call in