10 things you need to know about Paul Arriola, the new FC Dallas player 10 things you need to know about Paul Arriola

US international Paul Arriola is officially a player for FC Dallas.

The team announced Wednesday that it has completed a trade with DC United bringing the 26-year-old forward to Frisco in exchange for $2 million in general allocation funds.

The price is a record for the amount of guaranteed money changing hands in MLS.

However, FCD chairman Dan Hunt made it clear this winter that the club would be aggressive in using GAM to bolster new manager Nico Estevez's roster.

1. The basics

Name: Pablo Arriola

Weight: 146 pounds

Height: 5-6

Date of birth: February 5, 1995 (26 years old)

Place of birth: Chula Vista, California.

2. MLS career so far

Arriola's entire MLS career had been with DC United.

The California native has scored 20 goals and amassed 12 assists in 92 games since his MLS debut.

In 2017, DC United paid the Xolos de Tijuana $3 million to acquire their services.

3. Hard injury

In 2020 he suffered a torn ACL that ended his season before it began.

The injury occurred in February and he sidelined it for nine months.

Arriola returned in 2021 and ended the year with a clean bill of health.

4. He started his career in Mexico

Although he grew up in the United States, when he graduated from high school, Arriola took his talents south of the border to start his professional career.

The California teenager signed with Xolos de Tijuana in Liga MX, where he played the first four full seasons as a professional.

He made 108 career appearances for him with the Tijuana club, scoring nine goals.

5. He has dual nationality

While playing in Mexico, Arriola acquired a Mexican passport through his great-grandparents who were born in Mexico.

Because of this, Arriola was able to live in Southern California while crossing the border to play in Mexico.

Arriola also became fluent in Spanish while playing abroad.

6. He likes dogs

Arriola has a couple of dogs that live with him and his girlfriend.

He and his girlfriend occasionally like to dress the whole family in matching outfits.

7. A fast start

Arriola's career with the United States national team began as well as anyone could hope.

He made his debut on May 22, 2016 against Puerto Rico.

Although he didn't start, Arriola came on and scored in his first appearance and also had an assist on a Bobby Wood goal.

Arriola also scored in his second appearance for the United States national team.

8. An American icon

After his excellent debut, Arriola did not stop making great strides in the national team.

Arriola has played 42 games with the national team and has added eight goals and four assists.

In 24 appearances since 2019, Arriola has scored six goals and at least one each year in that span.

He wears the number 7 jersey of the national team.

9. He is a dangerous attacker

Arriola moves between forward and midfielder, but he almost always plays on the wing.

As a predominantly right-footed player, he uses his speed and creativity to create dangerous scoring chances from outside with strong runs and clever passes.

Nico Estevez's system is aggressive with a high pressure strategy and requires elite fitness from the players.

10. Large trophy case

The 26-year-old has won at almost every stage he has played since he turned pro.

Arriola won Liga MX in the 2016-17 season with Xolos de Tijuana.

With the United States national team, Arriola helped bring home two Gold Cup trophies, first in 2017 and again in 2021.