In his first ever appearance for the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT), Chula Vista native Paul Arriola registered a goal and an assist in a 3-1, win over Puerto Rico on Sunday in Puerto Rico.
Arriola, who plays professionally for Club Tijuana, earned a start in his first ever cap for the USMNT. Playing out on the right wing, Arriola assisted on Bobby Wood’s goal in the 34th minute.
He then added a goal when he knocked home an Alejandro Bedoya cross in the 56th minute.
USMNT defender Tim Ream scored the opening goal in the 20th minute on a rebound from an Alfredo Morales shot that was originally saved by the Puerto Rico goalkeeper.
The match on Sunday was a split USMNT squad as about half of the players will shift over to the Copa America roster. Younger players like Arriola, Matt Miazga, Eric Lichaj, Danny Williams to name a few were not named to the USMNT’s Copa America roster. This was a one-off match for them.
The USMNT will now face Ecuador in Texas on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. local time.
