FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas and U.S. Men's National Team winger Paul Arriola spoke honestly following the U.S.'s final two-game tune up camp ahead of this winter's World Cup in Qatar. The USMNT traveled to Europe where it registered a 2-0 loss and scoreless draw against Japan and Saudi Arabia respectively.
“We’re disappointed with the results that we had," Arriola said following Tuesday's 0-0 tie. "Today we were looking to respond with a good game after playing against Japan. I thought we had an OK game, created some chances but overall we know collectively we have to get better when we get to Qatar.
"Collectively, we know we can do better. We’re disappointed with the results and how we played. We know we need to get better. We need to get better offensively and defensively. It’s cliché, but we’re brothers in there. It’s a brotherhood. We have to go back and do everything we can in our favor to stay healthy, get better and be ready for Qatar."
Both Arriola and Dallas teammate Jesús Ferreira featured as second-half substitutes in the USMNT's final match after Ferreira was given the starting nod by head coach Gregg Berhalter last Friday against Japan. The pair combined for one of the U.S.'s two shots on goal in a fluid sequence FCD fans have become accustomed to over the 2022 season.
Despite the USMNT's "disappointing" results over the last week, Arriola isn't pushing the panic button just yet: "I’m not worried at all. I know these guys, I know their talent, I know how connected we are. It’s just a matter of putting it all together and there’s no better time than coming up.
"It’s the last camp. Everyone is fighting for a spot, whether a spot on the roster or a spot in the starting eleven. Naturally, there’s going to be tension. But that doesn’t take away from the internal competition which is great for us."
