Seattle Sounders suffer brutal setback as key star faces long absence | OneFootball

The Seattle Sounders were dealt a serious setback early in the MLS campaign. The club confirmed that Paul Arriola has torn his ACL and is expected to miss most of 2025. The injury was sustained in a 4-1 loss at Cruz Azul in Mexico, in the Concacaf Champions Cup, with the midfielder being replaced at the interval.

The news was a blow to the club, who had heavily invested in Arriola. The player, who signed from FC Dallas in January and penned a contract through 2027, was already starting to make an impact, scoring two goals in six games before the injury. Now, Seattle Sounders must find a way to manage without this big setback.

Arriola's injury provides cause for concern to Sounders

A tear of the ACL is among the worst injuries in football and can keep a player out of action for a year. In Arriola's case, it is even more frustrating, since he has gone through the same experience before. In 2020, he incurred the very same injury, sitting out much of that MLS season.

At 30 years old, this second tear calls into question his rehabilitation process and what that means for his future with the Sounders. The player did not allow this setback to get him down, however, and reacted to the situation with strength:

"Life is tough, and sports can be cruel. But it's the will to keep growing, keep working, and keep inspiring others through my journey. My purpose is bigger than any injury. To all the Sounders fans, I'll be back."

The signing of Arriola was one of Seattle's largest offseason transactions. The club had already added Jesús Ferreira, also from FC Dallas, in an attempt to get fresh blood into the attack.

Having had a solid MLS career behind him, with 37 goals and 34 assists in 176 league appearances with time at D.C. United, FC Dallas, and Seattle, Arriola figured to be a key attacking contributor for the club.