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As D.C. United prepared for training camp in January, Coach Ben Olsen scanned his roster and admired an abundance of attackers who had fueled last year’s first-place finish in MLS’s Eastern Conference.

United employed players adept at slashing toward the penalty area, working combinations and running at defenders with menace and confidence. United needed something else: an outright striker.

He and General Manager Dave Kasper thought of Jairo Arrieta.

After three seasons with the Columbus Crew, the Costa Rican forward had been claimed by Orlando City in the expansion draft. The new club proceeded to acquire several scoring threats, though, making Arrieta expendable before even stepping foot in Florida.

United pounced. All it took was trading away an international roster slot, a procedural tool. The move has reaped immediate benefits. With three proven forwards unavailable, Arrieta scored in United’s 1-0 season-opening victory over the Montreal Impact on March 7 at RFK Stadium.

He also struck three days earlier in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals against Costa Rica’s Alajuelense.

“He is a different type of forward than we have,” Olsen said ahead of Sunday afternoon’s away match against the New York Red Bulls. “He is a true forward who is going to occupy center backs, has a nose for goal and knows exactly where to be to get his numbers up.

“We wanted that extra dimension if we needed it.”

They have needed it. Last year’s leading scorers, Fabian Espindola and Luis Silva, have been unavailable because of suspension and injury, respectively. Eddie Johnson, the club’s marquee signing in 2014, is out because of a heart condition. While Silva should return in a few weeks, Espindola is not eligible until late April and Johnson might have to retire.

The absences prompted Chris Pontius’s move from the left wing to the frontline and Arrieta’s insertion into the lineup.

“It is a responsibility I sensed the moment I joined the team,” he said through an interpreter. “I wanted to contribute in my own way. With so many good players already here, it only added to the competition. I take on those challenges. Can I do the best I can to help the club and to help my personal goals as well? So far, so good.”

Arrieta, 31, was very good in his first MLS season in 2012, signing with Columbus six weeks into the campaign and posting nine goals and four assists in 18 appearances. The following year, pulled away by Costa Rican national team duty, he had just three goals. His contract option was declined but he returned after accepting a cut to $135,000 from $216,000.

Last season, under new coach Gregg Berhalter, he fell out of favor by summer and was relegated to reserve service.

Expectedly, the Crew did not protect him ahead of the expansion draft. Orlando picked him with its sixth of 10 selections.

DCU photo

“I was nervous that day. I didn’t know if I would be able to stay in MLS,” said Arrieta, who, before joining the league, played five seasons with Costa Rican power Saprissa. “I will always be grateful that Orlando took me. It was a relief for me and my family.”

Five weeks later, his agent called. Orlando had traded him to United.

Arrieta was in Costa Rica at the time, preparing to move to Florida for the start of training camp a week later. He had signed up for all of the club’s social media accounts. (Even after the trade, he didn’t bother unsubscribing and still receives regular updates.)

Arrieta’s arrival was a pleasant surprise for United players.

“Since he has been in the league, I have always liked the way he plays the game,” veteran midfielder Davy Arnaud said. “The way he plays fits for us because we need a target guy. He is a very good in tight spots and tough spots. He is always busy, active, causing problems.”

Despite language gaps, Arnaud has gotten to know Arrieta well: They carpool to RFK daily, some 40 miles each way, from their homes in Loudoun County.

“I try to help him with some English,” Arnaud said, “he helps me with a little Spanish.”

Arrieta’s early contributions have boosted not only United but his hopes of returning to the Costa Rican national team. He was on the preliminary roster ahead of last summer’s World Cup but did not make the final list, missing the Ticos’ mesmerizing run to the quarterfinals in Brazil.

A 2004 Olympian, Arrieta has 16 appearances and four goals with the senior squad. He last scored during the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Cuba and played a bit part in the World Cup qualifying effort. His most recent appearance was in January 2014 in a friendly against South Korea in Los Angeles.

This past week, he was passed over for Costa Rica’s upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Panama. The next major competition is this summer’s Gold Cup.

“My focus now is here with D.C. United,” he said. “This team is my priority. If I do things right, it will open opportunities in the future.”

D.C. United at New York Red Bulls

Records: United 1-0-0, 3 points; Red Bulls 0-0-1, 1 point.

D.C. probable starters: Bill Hamid; Sean Franklin, Bobby Boswell, Steve Birnbaum, Taylor Kemp; Nick DeLeon, Perry Kitchen, Davy Arnaud, Chris Rolfe; Chris Pontius, Jairo Arrieta.

N.Y. probable starters: Luis Robles; Chris Duvall, Damien Perrinelle, Ronald Zubar, Kemar Lawrence; Lloyd Sam, Dax McCarty, Felipe Martins, Sacha Kljestan; Mike Grella, Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Inducted into the Virginia DC Soccer Hall of Fame, 2013

Three-time APSE finalist

Society of Professional Journalists' Dateline Awards, first place, 2023

American University, BA in print journalism, 1988

Steven Goff has covered soccer for The Washington Post since the early 1990s. His beats include D.C. United, MLS and the U.S. national teams. He has been on assignment at every men's World Cup since 1994, plus six Women's World Cups for 14 overall.

Steven Goff

The Washington Post

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