Our 2024 FC Dallas player recaps continue with veteran midfielder Paul Arriola.

After a down-and-out season in 2023, which saw him miss a lot of time with injuries, Arriola was one of the more consistent players for FC Dallas in 2024 despite playing in several spots in the lineup over the course of the year.

Stat breakdown

We know Arriola had a down year in 2023, it was discussed on this space a good bit. But just take a quick gander at how much more minutes made for Arriola this season compared to last season.

But, the main thing to point out is how Arriola lined up in five or six positions this season. Former head coach Nico Estevez largely had him as a right back or a right wing but there were other moments that saw him on the left or even back as an attacking midfielder.

The 29-year old ended 2024 with five goals and two assists. This was mostly his best season since his 2022 season that saw him go off with ten goals and five assists. He ended the year with 47 total shots with 20 of them on target, his highest output since 2022.

Arriola was one of the few players that worked well at moving the ball forward. He had 60 progressive carries and 106 progressive passes. He had 33 key passes and helped contribute 14 goal creation actions (a new career high).

Defensively, Arriola had 41 tackles, 28 blocks, 10 interceptions, and 32 clearances.

Highlight

A lot of Arriola's goals came from the penalty spot in 2024, so let's roll with his first goal of the season as his best.

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I won't discuss what happened after this goal, as that game (RSL's three-goal come-from-behind draw) probably gives us all nightmares.

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What should we expect from him in 2025?

As a TAM-level player, you have to expect more from him. He's likely at the peak of his career, given his age, and at this point he is truly a luxury player to have on this roster. Sure he can play all over the field these days, but is that a good use of a TAM player?

If the new manager (whoever that is) can get him to be in that five to eight goals range with three to five assists, I think that may be about as good as it will get with him.

Final thoughts

I'm a big fan of what Arriola brings to the club, in terms of a leader on and off the field. He connects with every player in a way that you want out of a leader.

But saying that, as for the on the field product, he's not the type of player that is going to go out and lead the team in scoring or assists. He's just not. That isn't his game.

He's an expensive player to have on the roster, too. He's nearly a Designated Player with what FC Dallas is paying him (he was in 2023 after all). It is a lot of money to spend year to year for a guy that likely won't get you more than five or six goals or three or four assists in a season.

I know I've floated the Arriola to San Diego thing since they are coming onto the scene this winter as the next MLS side. It is a nice pipe dream to open up a lot of salary cap space for some other, possibly more productive players. I just think the folks at FC Dallas will continue to pay what they are with Arriola because of those leadership aspects that I spoke of earlier. Sometimes, those things can outweigh production on the field for some clubs.