Arriola joins the Sounders with a wealth of experience after spending a decade across MLS and Liga MX
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Arriola traded to the Seattle SoundersU.S. international joins Ferreira in Pacific NorthwestWill compete at 2025 Club World Cup with MLS sideGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
The Seattle Sounders have acquired U.S. international Paul Arriola from FC Dallas in exchange for Seattle’s first-round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft and up to $300,000 in General Allocation Money if certain performance metrics are met. Arriola has signed a three-year contract with the Sounders through 2028, with a club option at the end of the deal.
The 29-year-old has 50 caps with the USMNT, where he's scored 10 goals. He was part of the 2017 and 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup-winning squads and the 2019-20 CONCACAF Nations League-winning team.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Arriola joins Seattle days after teammate Jesus Ferreira was acquired by the Sounders for a blockbuster $2 million fee.
The U.S. international joins the Western Conference side's ranks with over 300 professional matches under his belt. He made his pro debut in Liga MX with Atlas in 2013, before joining MLS side D.C. United in 2017 to begin his stateside journey. He was briefly transferred on loan to Welsh club Swansea in 2021 before suffering a hamstring injury that forced him to return for rehabilitation.
Ahead of the 2022 MLS season, Arriola was traded to FCD for a then MLS-record fee of $2 million GAM, $300k GAM performance-based incentives, and a 30% sell-on clause for D.C. United if he was transferred outside of MLS.
Now, he takes his trade to Seattle, where he will be a part of the team competing at the 2025 FIFA World Cup under Brian Schmetzer's leadership.
“I’m pleased to welcome Paul to Seattle. His ability to play multiple positions at a high level gives us a lot flexibility as a coaching staff,” said Schmetzer. “Beyond his skill and versatility, Paul’s experience will be a positive impact in the locker room and contribute to the strong culture we’ve built at this club. We’re excited to see what he brings to the group.”
WHAT SEATTLE SAID
“We’re thrilled to welcome Paul to the organization. His experience at both the club and international levels speaks for itself, and his versatility on the field adds an important dimension to our roster,” said Sounders FC General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel. “This signing underscores our commitment to building a team with the depth and quality needed to compete at the highest level, and we’re excited to see the impact Paul will make here in Seattle.”
ImagnWHAT JORDAN MORRIS SAID
Before the move became official, Seattle Sounders star Jordan Morris shared his excitement of Arriola joining him in the Pacific Northwest.
"Paul is one of my good friends too, which is great. I've been talking to him through this whole process, and know him and his wife well, and so, not only obviously, on the field, but off the field, bringing another really good guy known probably for a long time," Morris said at MLS Media Day last Thursday. "So I'm really excited about bringing him in as well, and for the group, he provides even more flexibility. He can play in so many different positions. He's a team player."
He added, "I remember when it first started, he just texted me and said, 'You know, I just want to I just want to win. I want to do whatever I can to help the team win wherever. That means, you know, I just want to win, win games.' So bringing in a guy like that who has that attitude, a team player that can play a lot of different positions for the group. [It] will be super helpful. And like I mentioned, just bringing two guys into an already good locker room will be great for the group. So I'm really looking forward to it."
