Paul Arriola Leaving FC Dallas? Seattle Sounders Are Not Messing Around | OneFootball

Seattle Sounders are reportedly in advanced negotiations to land Paul Arriola, the dynamic winger from FC Dallas. Yeah, you heard it right; the 29-year-old with lightning-fast speed, slick dribbling skills, and the grit to scrap when the game gets tough might be heading north.

Paul Arriola is the kind of player every team dreams of having on their roster. He’s got insane stamina, versatility for days, and he’s proven that he can show up when it counts. If you followed last season’s MLS action, you know he’s no ordinary speedster. This guy has game IQ, knows where to be, and plays for the team, not just for the highlight reel. Oh, and let’s not forget, he brings solid experience from his time with the U.S. Men’s National Team.

But here’s the thing: at 29, Arriola’s no longer that up-and-coming star with limitless potential. The “wait and see” phase is over. He’s in that stage of his career where he’s gotta deliver consistent, high-quality performances week in and week out. While he’s been a key piece for FC Dallas, it’s fair to say they haven’t fully tapped into what he brings to the table.

Now, let’s talk about Seattle Sounders. This is a club that breathes winning. They don’t step on the pitch just to be part of the show; they’re there to dominate, end of story. But if you watched them closely last season, it was clear their squad depth, especially on the wings, was lacking. The attack felt a little stale at times, missing that spark, someone who could break through defensive lines with a bit of magic.

Enter Paul Arriola. He’s practically tailor-made for what the Sounders need: speed, creativity, and a work ethic that never takes a day off. Picture him teaming up with the likes of Nicolás Lodeiro and Jordan Morris. Just thinking about it, you can already see opposing defenses sweating bullets.

But there’s a flip side to this story. Is FC Dallas really ready to let Arriola go? Honestly, it feels like they’re playing with fire here. Letting go of a player like him without having a proper replacement lined up could be a huge misstep.

That said, we all know how the MLS market works. Teams love making trades, pulling in talent from overseas, and sometimes cutting loose key players to free up cap space. Maybe Dallas has a Plan B tucked away, or maybe they’re banking a little too much on their academy, which, to be fair, is one of the best in the country.