Since making his debut with the USMNT in May of 2016, Paul Arriola's role has quickly shifted from debutant to a leader in this year's January Camp. At only 22-years-old, Arriola’s 15 caps made him one of the most tenured players entering camp with interim head coach Dave Sarachan focusing on a youthful core geared toward the future.
“It was a different situation for me at camp with the national team," Arriola said. "I was one of the guys that had been to more camps and earned more caps, so I felt a sense of responsibility to be a leader. I’m vocal and positive and I try to encourage the guys to not make mistakes, but also not to be afraid to try new things.”
Following camp, the midfielder earned his 16th cap as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Jan. 28, and his energy in the second half provided the USMNT with a spark of different attacking dynamic. The 22-year-old was able to get himself into dangerous attacking positions, and his work down the flanks created more scoring opportunities for the USMNT in the second half.
The friendly against Bosnia was the Americans first attempt at moving past their heartbreaking loss to Trinidad and Tobago, which knocked them out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Despite the disappointment of failing to qualify, Arriola remains optimistic about the future. The midfielder believes it's on the squad to get the small details right in order to maximize their playing potential and compete against the historically stronger soccer nations.
“After what we went through with the national team—the highs and lows of winning the Gold Cup then not qualifying for the World Cup—you learn that we’re a nation that needs to get everything correct to get ahead of our opponents,” Arriola said. “Whether that’s treatment, building strength in the gym, watching video or recovery, we have to make sure we’re doing everything we can to compete against the top teams. I think the U.S. still need to focus on maintaining their hard working identity. As Americans we work hard, fight and never give up, and that needs to become our identity with the USMNT.”
As the American squad works to establish its identity, January Camp featured an influx of new faces. Arriola was joined in camp by fellow United midfielders Ian Harkes and Russell Canouse. The camp was Harkes and Canouse's first senior call-ups, and Arriola recognized the significance of the milestone, for both the Black-and-Red and the national team.
“It’s better for us at a club level to have chemistry and now we're continuing to grow that relationship with the USMNT,” Arriola said of Harkes and Canouse. "I’ve known Russell since the U.S. Under-14 Youth National Team so there’s already a chemistry there on and off the field. Now, after being with Ian for a little bit last season and being in national team camp in January, we've also had the opportunity to improve that relationship. We’ll continue to build on it and my relationships with Russell and Ian will only grow stronger this season.”
Arriola joined the Black-and-Red for their preseason camp in Clearwater, Fl., on Monday, Jan. 29, and will begin preparing for the season ahead with his United teammates. Just as he did in January Camp, expect Arriola to focus on assuming a leadership role and strengthening team chemistry this season in D.C.
