UPDATE, Monday 4:55 pm ET: D.C. United attacker Paul Arriola confirmed the club's worst fears after he went down with an injury on Saturday: He has a torn ACL.
Arriola's timeline to return has not yet been determined, as he announced on Twitter.
Arriola, 25, has made 68 appearances with 14 goals and 12 assists for the club since joining during the 2017 season.
ORIGINAL, Sunday 10:45 am ET: Just as D.C. United are ramping up toward the start of the 2020 season, there’s fears the club could be without one of its core players for a significant period of time.
Winger Paul Arriola suffered what appears to be a serious knee injury in the first half of D.C. United’s 1-0 preseason win over Orlando City SC Saturday night. The 25-year-old Designated Player left the match in the 30th minute after suffering a suspected right ACL tear.
“Doesn’t look good,” is what D.C. United coach Ben Olsen texted Washington Post reporter Steve Goff.
Fellow midfielder Russell Canouse appeared to echo concerns over the severity when he asked for prayers for his “brother.”
The US international, who was part of Gregg Berhalter’s January camp, reportedly was treated on the field and was helped to the bench where he watched the rest of the match.
Further tests are forthcoming for Arriola, who had six goals and two assists in 29 regular season appearances last year, with 28 starts. He showcased his versatility by also playing right back and the No. 10 at times.
Although its seemingly the most severe injury, Arriola’s s the latest D.C. United midfielder sidelined during the preseason. Yamil Asad and new signing Edison Flores have both missed time for D.C. United, which take on Nashville SC in its penultimate regular-season tuneup Wednesday before meeting the Philadelphia Union next Saturday.
D.C. United open its 25th MLS season against the Colorado Rapids February 29 (1 pm ET) at Audi Field.
