Paul Arriola Biography
Paul Arriola is an American soccer player for Major League Soccer club D.C. United and the United States national team.
Arriola is an American of Mexican descent. His grandparents immigrated to the United States from Mexico.
Paul Arriola Age
Arriola was born on February 5, 1995, in Chula Vista, California, U.S. He is 27 years old as of 2022.
Paul Arriola Father | Parents
Arriola is the son of Dawn and Art Arriola. His grandparents immigrated to the United States from Mexico. He is an American of Mexican descent.
Paul Arriola Girlfriend | Wife
Arriola is in a relationship with Akela Banuelos. Arriola and Akela both run a YouTube channel together called Kickin’ It was Akela and Paul.
Paul Arriola Club Career
Arriola spent years with the U.S. Soccer Development Academy club Arsenal FC based in Temecula, California.
The club has produced several successful players including Carlos Bocanegra and Hector Jiménez, before joining the Academy of the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2013.
Tijuana
Arriola was invited to train with Tijuana, in December 2012 after having previously trialed with the club.
Following the 2012 season and despite being offered a professional contract by the Galaxy, he 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 his hometown of San Diego, 18 miles, as one factor contributing to his decision to opt for Tijuana over the Galaxy.
Arriola explained his decision and 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 him to live on the United States side of the border with his family but cross it for training and matches.
He made his debut for the club in a pre-season friendly against Club América at Petco Park in San Diego on July 6, 2013.
In the 54th minute, he scored to make the score 5–0 in an eventual 5–2 victory for Tijuana.
Arriola made his professional league debut in a 3–3 draw with Club Atlas to open the 2013–14 Liga MX season on July 19, 2013.
He was a second-half substitute and assisted on Darío Benedetto’s goal only four minutes after entering the match. A few days later, Arriola scored his second professional goal in CONCACAF Champions League against C.D. Victoria.
Paul Arriola D.C. United
Arriola signed for Major League Soccer side D.C. United on August 9, 2017, for a club record fee of $3,000,000 plus allocation money for his rights to LA Galaxy.
On July 14, 2018, in a 3-1 win against Vancouver Whitecaps, he scored a personal record two goals for United in their inaugural match at Audi Field.
Under Ben Olsen’s management, Arriola became diverse on the right and started playing both right midfielders and right back. As of April 15, 2019, Arriola has 9 goals and 11 assists for DC United.