United midfielder Paul Arriola came off the bench as a halftime sub as the U.S. Men’s National Team fought to a 0-0 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in an international friendly on Jan. 28 at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA.
Neither the U.S. nor Bosnia and Herzegovina were able to find a break through with the USMNT recording three total shots on target compared to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s two. USMNT debutant Tyler Adams had a headed shot on target in the early stages of the game, while CJ Sapong tested the Bosnian goalkeeper with two shots on goal. The biggest chance of the first half came to the visitors in the 45th minute when Luka Menalo found enough time and space in the box to get a shot on goal. Former D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid made himself big to quell the opportunity and keep the score level going into halftime.
United’s Young Designated Player Paul Arriola came into the game as a halftime substitute to make his 16th appearance for the USMNT. The midfielder featured on the flanks and his energy going forward gave the Red, White and Blue a welcome spark in the second half.
The visitors nearly broke through again in the 52nd minute, when Walker Zimmerman fouled Luka Menalo in the box and the ref awarded Bosnia and Herzegovina a penalty. Philadelphia’s Haris Medunjanin stepped up to the penalty spot and sent goalkeeper Zack Steffen the wrong way, but the strike ricocheted off the post and stayed out to keep the game scoreless.
Throughout the second half, Arriola remained a workhorse on the wing. He was rewarded for his energy and attack mindedness in the 79th minute when he found an opportunity on goal from outside of the box, but his shot ultimately sailed over the crossbar.
The match ended in a 0-0 stalemate to close the USMNT's annual January Camp. Midfielders Paul Arriola, Russell Canouse, and Ian Harkes will now join up with D.C. United at their preseason camp in Clearwater, Fl., as they prepare for the Major League Soccer season to kick off in March.
