I dont like Arriola as an attacker because he isnt skilled enough...his touch isnt good enough and he just bogs down everything atttack-wise, in my opinion. But I do recognize he has a tremendous work rate and approach to competing. I wonder why he hasnt been tried as a wingback. The USMNT has a long tradition of doing that. Right back is pretty stacked...but left back behind jedi isnt. I think arriola could make a great left back. Anyone else agree?
Moving into defense isn’t unusual for older midfielders. However, he would be behind Jedi, Bello, and Scally at minimum
If he was doing this for his club, then it'd be worth a look. But there's more to soccer than hustle. Arriola would struggle with positioning, maintaining the offside line etc. because he's never had an extended run at the position. He'd also be on the "wrong" side and he's poor with his left foot. That would limit his contributions going forward even further.
Vines, now that he's training again in Belgium. We have other left backs coming up the pipeline. Hell, Jonathan Gomez if he commits to us.
Acosta really only fills-in at wing back for Colorado when others are out. Lucas Esteves is currently the first choice at the position, and Robin Fraser's played Trusty there a few times. Kellyn's been getting some extended time at WB on both sides lately because of fixture congestion, along with on-and-off injuries suffered by Rosenberry (usually plays at RCB or RWB) and Galván (typically either wing back position). Acosta himself picked up a knock against Portland a few matches back, but he's expected to recover for the final game of the season this coming weekend. Assuming everyone is healthy, Acosta plays in central midfield - though not as a DM. Jack Price is the locked-in starter there, with Collen Warner typically filling in as his backup.
For the first time since I've been a USMNT, I'm not worried about our quality at LB. Pretty remarkable really. Arriola is not a LB. The wing-back/full back role has become very specialized over the last few years with the popularization of the 3 back formation. Jedi, Dest, Scally are all we need right now. We have Bello and Vines as well. Arriola is limited in my opinion but can do the business as an attacking wide option in the absence of Gio and CP.
Why is Scally considered a left- back when he's only played there 4 times in his career, including his 15 games in the Regionalliga?
Not being concerned about our fullbacks doesn't mean he thinks Scally is a left back. I imagine it goes like this: LB: Jedi (Dest) RB: Dest (Scally) Took a lot less work to be charitable than it probably did to look up all those stats to try to say "Gotcha!"
Why would Arriola be considered a left back when he isn't a defender? Scally could fill in at left back in an injury situation, as he did for BMG. I'm not a Bundesliga manager, but the guy that coaches him felt comfortable playing him there, so it might be reasonable to consider his opinion that Scally can do the job at left back? Just spitballing there.
I do like what Arriola can bring with his running and work rate. But, he's not some transcendent talent we have to shoehorn onto the field in whatever position we can rationalize. He's depth or a guy you turn to when things aren't working and that's fine. He has a place in the larger squad if not the final 23. But, he needs to earn it playing his regular position. He's not a must have kind of guy that you create a position for or who you need on the field so badly that you play him outside his normal position just to make sure he's out there. Even at left back, he'd be obviously behind Robinson. Most cycles feature players who are key in qualifying but who are just below the grade when final cuts come around and never make the World Cup team. I would not be at all surprised to see Arriola as the guy from this cycle who makes a few key appearances and helps us qualify but gets left behind when we have a full compliment of players.
im just NOT considering him for attacking player. and I acknowledge that he has certain traits that are exceptional..... he shouldve been an outside back all along in my opinion...but now its probably too late, especially for this cycle...he'd need a season or two of seasoning most likely.... although players like eddie lewis, brek shea, fabian johnson, etc on and on and on have transitioned from midfielder to outside back for usmnt...theres a long tradition of it. id call in a bunch of actual left backs before arriola though regardless.